Hamels Bests Cain 2-1

Pablo Sandoval ruined a shutout for Cole Hamels.  Hamels had a shut out going into the ninth inning, but the Giant’s slightly less portly third baseman pulled a 2-1 fastball into the left field seats.  A Giants fan donning a Will Clark jersey caught the home run ball and proceeded to run around like the Giants just won the game.

I was hoping that one of the Phillies fans in the area would trip him as he sprinted around in ecstasy.  Alas he was not tripped, but Hamels retired Orlando Cabrera on a groundout to end the game.  I wonder if anyone in the stands had a Kevin Mitchell jersey on?  Anyway…

In a 2-1 game, it is reasonable to assume that it was a pretty well pitched game.  It was.  Cain went eight innings, allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out eight Phillies batters.  Hamels allowed only the home run to Sandoval and went the distance.  Today’s game looked a whole lot more like a game in San Francisco than last night’s contest.  There were not a lot of runs scored and all the participants were on their best behavior.  It was certainly a welcome occurrence to beat the Giants at their own game; a low scoring one run game.

Hunter Pence continues to rake since his arrival in Philadelphia.  He was 2-4 with an RBI.  The Phillies have not lost a game since he got here.

Placido Polanco was removed from the game after experiencing some hip discomfort.  He is scheduled for an MRI and an X-ray.

The Phillies go for the sweep tomorrow in Roy Oswalt’s return from the disabled list.  San Francisco counters with Tim Lincecum.