Philadelphia Phillies humiliate Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2 in Spring Training clash - MLB Update
Starter Cole Hamels helps Philadelphia Phillies record a 7-2 victory against Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 3, 2012 during their Grapefruit League clash.
As Spring Training winds up, Phillies’ offense is taking a new shape, with Placido Polanco connecting valuable hits and Shane Victorino bringing needed RBIs. In a stark contrast to most of his spring outings, Polanco hit a homer in the game.
Game saw an out-and-out dominance of the Phillies in all departments of play. They drew 11 hits in 35 at-bats and restricted Pirates to just seven in 34 at-bats.
Hamels had an ideal time on the mound and while he never allowed batters to fetch a walk from him in four innings, he went scoreless in three hits. He struck-out five along the way.
He was spot on with his throws and seeing him attaining control and command is a healthy sign for Phillies. Since he possesses an eye-opening career record of 3.39 ERA and 1091 strike-outs, he can seriously take Phillies anywhere in the regular season.
Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel is pleased with the way starter set the stage for victory.
"Cole was sharp," Manuel said. "He stayed down in the strike zone. He had good stuff. He's been throwing good all spring."
Manager did not utter much about where Hamels will land after the season as his contract is to end by then. Even Hamels expressed indifference to it calling it a work of his agent and says an assignment at hand for him is to go out there and put up the best.
"That's why I have an agent," Hamels said. "I need to go out and pitch."
As regard to Pirates’ starter James McDonald, in three innings only one run was given up. However what took their team away from the win was an extremely ordinary show by their relievers.
Reliever Chris Leroux who was accorded the loss in the end conceded three runs in just one inning.
With their recent performance, the Phillies will see their confidence high before the start of the regular season. Only thing they have to focus on now is to keep their momentum going further.
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