Cole Hamels Outpitches Timmy Wakefield As Phillies Beat Boston

One bad inning. That's all it took for Tim Wakefield to lose this one. The Boston Red Sox were defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 5-3 Sunday afternoon and it was a 4 run 5 hit 4th inning that doomed them. I was impressed by Phillies starter Cole Hamels. He was in control from his first pitch to his last. Here's Phillies manager Charlie Manuel...

"When he's got a good fastball, that's when he's good. He was good today, man. He beat a good team. They really work the count on you, and they'll take the ball the other way. They're a good team. They're very good."

I agree with you, Charlie. I'm sure all of Red Sox Nation does too. Hamels was top notch all the way, getting and deserving the win. He pitched 7 full innings, Wakes 7 1/3. But the win wasn't meant to be for Boston. They still took the three game series 2 games to 1. It seems that three game sweeps have been hard to come by but the Phillies are a quality team.

The Sox have the day off today before Arizona invades Fenway Park. Boston still remains within striking distance in the American League East and they will (?) all season long. Boston needs a healthy Beckett and Matsuzaka, though, as well as a healed Mike Cameron and Kevin Youkilis. The latter 2 will both be back this week. Daisuke did not need an MRI on his forearm and manager Terry Francona thinks that's a good sign. Slim good news, I guess. It's better than NO good news, that's for sure.

I'll have the complete pitching matchups for the series with Arizona first thing Tuesday morning. I do want to congratulate the Boston Celtics. Last night they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers by a score of 92-86 in Boston. Paul Pierce was HUGE. They lead the best of 7 game series 3 games to 2 and need to take 1 game of the 2 coming up on the left coast to win it all for the 18th time. They can do it, too. Go green. I'll say it again (loudly). GO GREEN.

Thanks for stopping in and click on this post's title for more on the Celtic's resounding victory. Have a great Monday and as always, BE WELL. See ya.