Ace High

Who said Cole Hamels doesn't step up in big games? I did? Well, serves you right for paying any attention to me.

Pitching in the biggest game of his short career before a national television audience not to mention a packed and long-suffering house, Hamels was absolutely masterful in pitching eight strong innings against the Milwaukee Brewers. Hamels limited a powerful lineup to two hits while walking one and striking out nine. He was never in serious trouble. The same cannot be said for the Brewers who looked fairly helpless as Hamels had all three of his pitches working. No batters could sit on the change-up or fastball yesterday; those that did, got a big hook for their reward.

The Phillies offense wasn't exactly potent either, but they combined a bunch of walks, a few hits and some shaky defense by Milwaukee to score three runs, which was enough as they hung on in the ninth to win 3-1.

In that ninth inning, Hamels was lifted for Brad Lidge, a decision I audibly objected to when first announced. Hamels was in complete control; Lidge had been less than impressive in his last two or three outings though he got the job done. After the game, Hamels admitted he was tired, adding that the fatigue worked to his advantage when throwing the change-up. Lidge had not worked since the division-clinching drama of Saturday afternoon and after the game he acknowleged that he needs to work more often to stay sharp.

I'll tell you what, though: if the Phillies go deep into the post-season, I don't know if this old man can endure many more ninth inning adventures from Lidge. He is giving up hits, walks and runs to make things far too close for comfort. Still, he gets the job done, preserves his continuous streak of saves and seems supremely confident of his abilities.

Now, if the Phillies' bats can wake up, we might relax a little. On second thought, facing C.C. Sabathia this afternoon hardly affords much possibility of that.