Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul J. Bereswill)
Phillies: Hamels cruises past Mets
By DENNIS DEITCH 21st Century Media
NEW YORK - Sometimes in the race between the tortoise and the hare, the slowpoke just gets his rear end tanned.
Daisuke Matsuzaka tried to bore the Phillies to death Wednesday night with his painfully slow pace and even more painful knack for allowing base runners. Instead, all the washed-up right-hander did was put the crowd at Citi Field to sleep as the Phillies and jackrabbit pitcher Cole Hamels cruised and snoozed to a 6-2 win over the Mets.
The molasses-like Japanese veteran allowed 12 base runners – six hits, four walks and two hit batters – in 4 1/3 stupefying innings and in 110 agonizing pitches. However, the game was tied, 1-1, until the Phillies apparently found their stash of 5-Hour Energy and scored three times in the fifth. John Mayberry Jr.'s bases-loaded hit-by-pitch scored the go-ahead run and thankfully sent Dice-K to the showers, where he almost certainly took an hour and used up all the hot water.
The game was busted open by Hamels, who showed some of the left-handed hitters how to get it done against southpaws when he slapped a two-run single to left off Mets reliever Robert Carson. Carlos Ruiz hit his fifth homer of the season in the sixth, and in the ninth the Phils tacked on a so-what run that merely meant that Jonathan Papelbon would have another save opportunity taken away from him.
*** If Mets rookie sensation Matt Harvey manages to avoid Tommy John elbow ligament-replacement surgery after discovering his ulnar collateral ligament has a partial tear, Roy Halladay might have played a role in his taking that road rarely traveled these days.
Halladay spoke with Harvey at the urging of Mets manager Terry Collins, who knew earlier in his career Halladay avoided elbow surgery with a strengthening program.
'It just sounded similar to what I had,' Halladay said. 'We just talked a little bit about some of the strengthening stuff I did. Most every pitcher is going to have changes in the UCL, so once they get the inflammation down and he gets that second opinion, if it turns out that it's not something that has to be repaired … I just shared that with him and what I went through.'
According to Halladay, renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews told him that while he could delay the inevitable need for Tommy John surgery, it eventually would become required.
'That was eight years ago,' Halladay said, 'and I've never had an issue since.'
Like Harvey, Halladay said his issue arose near the end of a season, so he had a chance to shut down early, begin rehab and test the arm the following spring training. Since the surgery requires a full year of rehab, there isn't much difference between having the procedure in September or February as baseball seasons go.
*** NOTES: Cody Asche left the game with a mild hamstring strain after connecting on a leadoff single in the seventh and was replaced by John McDonald … Domonic Brown was out of the starting lineup for a fourth straight game with Achilles' tendinitis. Starting in his place in left field was Pete Orr, making his first start since being called up from Lehigh Valley … Ryne Sandberg has yet to duplicate a batting order since taking over as manager.
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