Hamels goes eight in 4-2 win

July 9, 2013

Box Score (From ESPN.com)

By Zach Geibler

The Phillies looked to continue their 2013 success against their fellow National League East teams on Tuesday night against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. They did just that winning the game 4-2.

The Phillies are now 24-14 facing their divisional opponents this year.

Cole Hamels was on the mound for the Phillies, coming off a good start against the Pirates. He was facing Taylor Jordan, who was only making his second career start.

The Nationals were the first to score, after former Phillie Jayson Werth hit a solo shot in the second inning.

Meanwhile, The Phillies kept grounding into double plays, spoiling offensive innings early in the game.

In the fourth inning, the Phillies tied the game with two hits, a double by Chase Utley to start off, followed by an RBI single by Dominic Brown, his 64^th of the season.

After a few innings of constant hits, the Phillies scored in the sixth inning on an error by Nationals' first basemen Adam LaRoche to take the lead.  

A few batters later, the Phillies widened the lead on of a two run double by Michael Young, who was thrown out trying to stretch into a triple.

The Nationals threatened strongly in the top of the eighth inning. Hamels was at 100 pitches for the evening, and manager Charlie Manuel decided to let him try to get out of his own bases loaded jam.

Hamels struck out Ryan Zimmerman and caused Jayson Werth to fly out to get out of a tense situation. This closed the night on another exceptional start by Hamels, who had been struggling this year prior.

In the ninth inning reliever Antonio Bastardo took the mound instead of regular closer Jonathan Papelbon. 

With two outs Washington pinch hitter Wilson Ramos made things interesting, hitting an RBI double.

Bastardo responded by getting Scott Hairston, the new National acquisition, to fly out and end the game.

Hamels picked up his fourth win of the season making his record 4-11 in 2013. He still has a long way to go, but it has been great to see the old Hamels again.

Bastardo picks up his second save of this year and the 11^th of his career.

The Phillies look to go for the series win on Wednesday night with the all-star Cliff Lee on the mound. 

(Image from Yahoo Sports and the Associated Press)