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CINCINNATIShane Victorino spoke for an entire organization and legions of Phillies fans after the teams 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.
Hopefully we can keep that Cole the rest of the way, he said.
Victorinos two-run homer in the eighth inning broke a 1-1 tie and helped propel the Phillies to their majors-best 84th victory, but the story of this night was Cole Hamels, and the smile on his face after the game, not to mention his efficient work on the mound, made it a feel-good story.
Hamels had been sidelined for 17 days with shoulder inflammation that eventually landed him on the disabled list.
There is always some uncertainty and apprehension whenever a pitcher returns to the mound after a health problem, no matter how minor. And when that pitcher is as important to a teams championship chances as Hamels is to the Phillies, there is a great feeling of relief when he checks out A-OK.
Getting him back and having him sharp is definitely good for us, Victorino said. He was very sharp. He didnt look like a guy whod been on the DL.
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Hamels pitched six innings, allowed just two hits and a run, walked none and struck out seven. The left-hander could have pitched deeper into the game, but manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee decided 76 pitches was enough for the first time back. They saw what they wanted to see: Good health and good life on Hamels pitches. His fastball reached 92 mph and his changeup was the out pitch that it has always been.
He did a heck of a job, Manuel said. It was a real good night for him.
Hamels agreed.
I felt really good, he said. I was able to make pitches and able to locate. Thats always a good sign.
Hamels said he never once thought about his shoulder and never felt any discomfort.
Nothing, he said. If I did I would never have made the start. I want to finish the regular season healthy and go to the postseason healthy. Thats the goal. Now, its just a matter of building up my pitch count.
Hamels would not admit feeling any great relief that he was healthy. He said he was confident that he was healthy after having a clean MRI two weeks ago.
Just getting out there and feeling part of the team again was big, he said. You sit around for two weeks and you feel helpless. To go out and contribute again is exciting. It gets everything going. You feel like you have a purpose.
Hamels opened the game by retiring nine straight Reds hitters. His strong start lowered his ERA to 2.58. Opposing batters are hitting just. 211 against him.
Reds starter Homer Bailey was equally tough early in the game. He retired the first 11 Phillies. Bailey struck out nine. One of those strikeouts came on a breaking ball to Victorino to end the top of the fifth inning. Three innings later, Victorino came up looking for a breaking ball. He got one on the first pitch and clubbed it out to right, giving the Phils a 3-1 lead.
Due to rain, the Phillies had played just one game since Wednesday, and it showed. They were not sharp defensively. Hamels actually might have gotten through his six innings without allowing a run had rightfielder Hunter Pence not misplayed a fly ball into a triple in the fourth inning.
Hamels remained 8-0 in 10 career starts (including the postseason) against Cincinnati. He hasnt allowed more than three earned runs in any of those starts.
With Hamels back, the Phils now have their starting rotation lined up the way they want it. Roy Halladay will pitch Tuesday with Cliff Lee ready on Wednesday. Lefty-righty-lefty. Hamels next start will come Saturday in Miami. Manuel and Dubee will have a longer leash on Hamels in that game. He earned it Monday night.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com.