Philadelphia Phillies’ star pitcher Cole Hamels experiences minor injury scare – MLB News
Philadelphia Phillies’ starting pitcher Cole Hamels was forced to walk out of the game against Boston Red Sox on Thursday, June 30 after he suffered a blow on his glove hand by Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez.
Hamels started the game seeking his tenth win of the season and with a mood to defeat one of the best teams thus far in the season. His outing was cut short when he received this blow just between the wrist and the thumb. Hamels carried on for one more inning
before he decided to walk off to the bull-pen. The Phillies went on to lose the game without the services of their main pitcher.
The Philadelphia side has gathered a pitching staff which can be, on any day, rated as the best in the history of baseball. With the likes of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee in their ranks, their pitching has not disappointed to this point in the
season. All three pitchers are leading the Major League in strike-outs, ERA, complete games and shut-outs. An injury at this crucial point in the season would be the last thing the Phillies would want.
Given their performances, this coming Sunday, when the All-Star list for National League is released, it is highly unlikely that any one of them fails to make it to the list. If they do make it to the All-Star team, they will be the first trio since 1997
to make it to the NL All-Star squad.
Hamels, the 2008 winner of World Series Most Valuable Player, underwent X-Rays after the game and the good news for fans is that they have come out negative. Although there is swelling and he has wrapped his hand in a soft bandage, he is hopeful to start
pitching in the next couple of days.
Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel was positive on Hamels’ recovery and said that the medical staff and the team expect Hamels to make his next start, which is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5 against Florida Marlins.
The Phillies have not been in the news for their scoring this season and have relied on their pitchers mostly. This has been a worrying point but their first baseman, Ryan Howard, has shrugged off such fears. Howard said, “I'm tired of hearing everyone talk
about how many runs we don't score, we score enough to win games.”
This season, Hamels has been in prime form. He has pitched in 116 innings and has accumulated 110 strike-outs. His earned-runs average has been sensational at 2.41 and has been the best thus far in his career. This has been a reason among others for the
Phillies phenomenal record this season. At the halfway point, the Phillies are 52-31, winning 17 games in June alone.
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