We all know the struggles of Cole Hamels this season but Hollywood seemed to brush them off as he went 7 2/3 scoreless innings to notch his seventh win of the season. He showed composure and control in situations where just weeks ago he would cave and conceded.
Cole has become a hemoraging wound when it comes to runners on base yet he forced the Reds into three double-plays and only allowed one extra base hit. Its starting to look like the Cole Hamels we've come to expect.
We even saw the unlikely trio of Contreras, Romero and Lidge escape the game unscathed. The bullpen looked solid and even though he was booed upon his entrance Brad Lidge shut down the Reds to grab his sixth save of the season.
I think I speak for most fans when I say, I don't know where this came from but keep it coming.
I mean who could have told me that despite injuries to Chase Utley and Placido Polanco this team would go on a surge like this, especially against a team like the Reds, who are the surprise team in the NL this season.
We've seen the re-ignition of Jimmy Rollins since returning from the DL and seen those impeccable contributions from players like Brian Schneider.
Today it was Rollins that made the difference on his RBI double in the sixth that gave the Phillies the early edge.
I don't know if its just clutch hitting but when you have a team that deals with so many injuries you have to believe that back-to-back-to-back walkoff's is something beyond our control. This team is even persevering over multiple incidences of fan interference.
Right now the Phils are sitting at 4 1/2 back of the Braves and only a 1/2 away from the Mets for second and if this season is any queue for the post all-star break season I think we all have a wild ride ahead of us.
Polanco is set to be back in 10 days or so and Utley should be back in mid-august... all pluses for a historic second half team.
Today's Box Score
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