Short Fuses & Short Rest

Cole Hamels was his usual self yesterday -- in command and in character -- as the Phillies took their second straight game from Milwaukee to move to within 2.5 of division-leading New York and two of the Wild Card leading Brewers.

Hamels was staked two a five run lead and was in command until Pat Burrell misjudged a fly ball allowing Milwaukee to score two runs. Hamels retreated to cover behind home plate and clearly waved his glove in disgust at Burrell's miscue. Fox TV analyst Alex Karros also noted Hamels' displeasure and he didn't like it either. That's all part of the Hamels' picture, however. If you want that great changeup you're going to have to take the attitude, too. Right now his teammates appear willing to deal with it, but it won't necessarily always be that way. It isn't as though Hamels doesn't make mistakes; his last start in New York is a good case in point.

Meanwhile, back at the game, Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard were the hitting stars again and Chase Utley chipped in two hits as the top half of the order provided most of the fire power. Rollins and Howard sure seem to know what to do when the top of the calendar page says "September."

Milwaukee, on the other hand, has looked remarkably tame this first two games given how much fire power they possess. A look at the schedule in mid summer revealed this four-game series looming in the final few weeks of the season and, frankly, it seemed unfortunate to have to go toe-to-toe with a formidable club at that juncture. As it turns out, Milwaukee has been slumping badly at the worst time for them and best moment for the Phillies. Two games remain in the series, however, and those big Brewer bats could still come alive. Joe Blanton pitches in the day game and Brett Myers, going on short rest, pitches the night cap. This second day-night doubleheader in one week reminded me of the famous saying "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain", the difference being that the abundance of moisture these past days has forced the Phillies (and a lot of other clubs) to use several starters on short rest rather than gain a reprieve from rainouts.