Cole Hamels Struggles, but Phillies Win Behind Potent Offense

This was not the debut that Cole Hamels had been hoping for. From all the hype of his spring training progress you half-expected him to go out and throw a no-hitter, and since it was against the lowly Washington Nationals, it might as well have made it a perfect game. 

Instead, Hamels labored through 5 innings. He gave up 5 hits, walked 4, and allowed 2 earned runs. It did not look pretty, but he was effective enough, and most importantly he didn’t allow the “big inning” that plagued him during his 2009 campaign. 

Phillies fans may be accused of demanding perfection, but with this teams offense, it seems like a lot less will suffice. 

The Phillies hitters were once again unleashed upon the Nationals and they punished starter Jason Marquis to the tune of 8 hits, 3 walks, and 6 earned runs through only 4 innings. 

They did it with power, but more impressively, they did it with patience. 

Although it is only two games, I have to say I have been very excited with the Phillies’ patience at the plate. It seems as if Placido Polanco’s grinder strategy has rubbed off on the rest of the lineup, who have occasionally been known to swing freely.

I have been particularly impressed with Jimmy Rollins. After last season’s miserable start, he simply seems more comfortable at the plate. He has not been swinging at as many first pitches, instead opting to wait for that right one that he can slap through the gap or drive down the line. No one will ever accuse Jimmy of being Kevin Youkilis, but if he can improve his on-base percentage the Phillies lineup will be even more of a force. 

All in all it was another effective performance by the Phils. Hamels didn’t mirror Halladay’s masterful Monday performance and the offense didn’t completely blow out the Nationals pitching staff (although they came pretty close), but a win is a win and over the course of a 162-game season, even the early, seemingly mundane games, can come back to matter.

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