With just a handful of games remaining in a season, fans hope to see their team put together some entertaining ballgames to round out the year. Crooked numbers and clutch hits are typically the most desired outputs, especially with no playoff runs in sight. Tonight, fans of the Phillies were treated to the exact opposite, as the team struggled all game long to put together a cohesive effort. They did, however, have their ace on the mound, and Cole Hamels looked to sprint toward the finish line of possibly the best statistical season of his young career.
The Game: Through the first three frames, a pitchers' duel was all but imminent. Cole Hamels and Henderson Alvarez combined to allow a modest five hits in that period, and neither appeared to be heading toward struggles. It would take a slip up or two for either offense to get something going, and that's exactly what happened going forward.
With one away in the home half of inning number four, Cole Hamels gave up a single to first baseman Jeff Baker. Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia followed with a base hit of his own, and the Marlins were now in business. On just the second pitch of his at bat, Ed Lucas collected Miami's third straight single, and it brought home the game's first run. With the score now 1-0, the Marlins once again got to Hamels in the fifth. Christian Yelich led things off with a double, and moved over on a sacrifice bunt. This led to Casey McGehee's sacrifice fly, which moved the score to 2-0.
And that, my friends, was the ballgame. Henderson Alvarez was on his game this evening, and did not stray. He'd rack up nearly eight innings of work, giving up just five hits and a walk to the Philadelphia bats. Mike Dunn and Steve Cishek helped close out the contest after Alvarez exited in the eighth, and were just as efficient as their cohort. The Phillies went scoreless the entire night, resulting in loss number 86 this season.
Up Next: The second game of this three-game set commences at 7:10 eastern time tomorrow night. In Miami, it will be Kyle Kendrick up against Brad Hand.
Andrew Gillen, Managing Editor of Philliedelphia.com
