everybody hits,
pitches too---
just another night
Greg Maddux, my favorite pitcher of the '90's, was going for his 350th win. Cole Hamels, facing him on a decidedly brisk night at Citizens Bank Park, hopes someday to be doing the same. In the event, Hamels gave up 2 runs and 5 hits, outdueling Maddux, who allowed 3 runs and 8 hits. At one point the scoreboard showed Hamels at an awesome 20 balls and 70 strikes. When he left in the 8th, he had thrown 97 pitches, 73 of them for strikes.
Speaking of sterling seniors, Tom Gordon pitched out of a bases-loaded jam, the second time he has done that in his last three outings. The Phillies hit up and down the line-up, to the tune of 12 hits and 7 runs. Centerfielder Scott Hairston was the offense for the Padres, with first a solo homer and later a 2-run shot in the 9th, with the Phillies then up 7-2. He also scored the Pads' other run and made a spectacular catch on a ball that Ryan Howard scorched to deep center. Geoff Jenkins, meanwhile, made a great play from the right field corner to gun down Adrian Gonzalez at second.
The hot Jayson Werth was again in center. Shane Victorino, just off the DL, sat. Hmmm. Maddux left the game to applause. Most on hand knew it was perhaps a last chance to see him in person.
