Cole Hamels had a flashback to the 2008 postseason tonight, as he completely shut down the Dodgers. Hamels, who beat the Dodgers twice in last year's NLCS, was dominant tonight, allowing only on runner to reach even second base, as the Phillies beat the Dodgers 3-0. Hamels, who threw his third career shutout, didn't walk anyone and threw only 97 pitches.
The Dodgers managed to get three leadoff batters on base during the game, yet neither one scored. Juan Pierre led off the game with a single, but was immediately erased on a Rafael Furcal double play. Andre Ethier led off the sixth inning with a double, yet never moved as Hamels retired Matt Kemp, Mark Loretta, and Juan Pierre in order to end the inning.
Clayton Kershaw was his usual maddening self, showing flashes of brilliance (five strikeouts through his first four innings), yet was unable to last deep into the game. Kershaw pitched 5.1 innings, and has lasted six innings in only four of 11 starts this season.
The Phillies got four leadoff men on base this game, and were able to cash in two of them. Dodger killer Carlos Ruiz scored one of those runs with a single in the seventh, followed by a stolen base from the Phillies' catcher. Ruiz is hitting .375/.512/.563 in 11 career games against the Dodgers.
Matt Kemp managed to extend his hitting streak to nine games with a single in the ninth inning. He is hitting .433/.485/.667 during that stretch.
Eric Milton and Jamie Moyer continue the battle of lefties on Friday night.
WP - Cole Hamels (4-2): 9 IP, 5 hits, 5 strikeouts
LP - Clayton Kershaw (3-4): 5.1 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts