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 In the meantime, he's also helping the moribund Phillies pick up
a few wins among the pile of losses.
The left-hander played stopper once again Thursday afternoon,
pitching Philadelphia to a 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants at
Citizens Bank Park.
"He's really been consistent," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said.
"He's pitched like an ace."
Hamels (5-5) stymied the first-place Giants with eight innings of
one-run ball, striking out 10 to help Philadelphia avoid a four-game
sweep. Since June 1, he has a 1.75 ERA, 81 strikeouts and 24 walks.
Hamels was in complete control and the Phillies needed it.
"In losing the past three games, you just want to go out there and
win," said Hamels, who was reaching 95 mph with his fastball to
augment his offspeed pitches. "Everything was coming out the right
way. I wasn't having to put as much effort into each pitch. Just the
way I was in sync. Everything kind of fired out and I guess it
showed on the radar gun."
Closer Jonathan Papelbon threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 24th
save.
The last-place Phillies (44-58) have won just two of their last nine
games -- both 2-1 victories in which Hamels was the winning pitcher.
The Giants (57-45) went 5-2 on their seven-game road trip to open
the second half of the season with a pivotal series with the Los
Angeles Dodgers (56-47) ahead.
San Francisco leads its division rival in the NL West by 1 1/2
games.
"We need to head home feeling good about this road trip," Giants
manager Bruce Bochy said. "We've got a big series ahead of us.
"It's going to be a good, exciting series -- it's what you play
for."
San Francisco starter Tim Hudson (8-7) gave the Giants an
opportunity to come home riding a four-game sweep. The veteran
right-hander gaveup two unearned runs in six innings.
"You're hoping your guy gives you a chance, and that's what (Hudson)
did -- he pitched great," Bochy said. "We had a couple chances
there, but we couldn't get another run for him."
Left fielder Michael Morse dropped a shallow fly ball to start the
bottom of the fifth inning, which resulted in the game's decisive
run. However, Hudson blamed himself for the other mistake when he
crossed up catcher Buster Posey in the first inning, allowing
shortstop Jimmy Rollins to advance from second to third and
eventually score on a single by right fielder Marlon Byrd.
"We tried to be creative and mix things up. It wasn't one of my
prouder moments, but I crossed him up in the first inning and it
essentially cost us a run," Hudson said. "I forgot that we changed
our signs."
Philadelphia took advantage of the two San Francisco blunders, and
that was all Hamels needed.
"He was clearly on top of his game today. I've seen him throw some
really good games throughout his career," said Hudson, who played in
the NL East for nine seasons. "Today wasn't an easy day in the park
for us. I don't ever recall his fastball being as good as it was
today. His fastball had some juice on it and his offspeed was as
good as I've seen it."
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The Phillies pushed across a run in the bottom of the first inning
on Byrd's RBI single.
The Giants got to Hamels in the top of the fifth inning to knot the
score. Second baseman Ehire Adrianza delivered a two-out base hit up
the middle to score center fielder Gregor Blanco, who singled to
lead off the inning.
Second baseman Chase Utley quickly snatched the lead back with an
RBI single of his own in the bottom of the fifth inning, restoring
Philadelphia's one-run lead. Center fielder Ben Revere scored after
reaching second base on Morse's error.
"He's a guy that's done a pretty good job out there," Bochy said of
Morse. "He made a long run for that ball and just couldn't quite
hold onto it. I've been happy with what he's done in left field."
The Giants threatened in the top of the fourth inning against
Hamels. San Francisco loaded the bases with two outs after Utley
airmailed a throw to first on a potential inning-ending double-play
ground ball. Hamels, however, saw his way out of the jam by getting
shortstop Joaquin Arias to ground out.
After the fifth-inning runs, it was all Hamels.
"It really seemed like he turned it up a notch," Sandberg said.
"He's on top of his game."
NOTES: Phillies 1B Ryan Howard was out of the starting lineup for
the second consecutive game. Manager Ryne Sandberg wants 1B Darin
Ruf, who was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, to get
some work at the position, especially given the struggles of Howard
this season. "It's still early in the process," Sandberg said of the
team's situation at first base. "We wanted to see (Ruf) play for a
couple of games, get him some at-bats and basically go from there.
We'll continue to watch." ... Giants 2B Ehire Adrianza left the game
before the bottom of the seventh inning because of a right hamstring
strain, according to manager Bruce Bochy. Adrianza will be evaluated
on Friday. ... Philles RHP Jonathan Papelbon's save was career No.
310, tying Hall of Famer Goose Gossage for 21st place all time. ...
The Giants head home to face the Los Angeles Dodgers for three
games. The Dodgers are in second place in the NL West, 1 1/2 games
behind the Giants. ... The Phillies welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks
for three games at Citizens Bank Park this weekend before starting a
seven-game road trip.
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