A classic pitching matchup between the leagues 2 best leftys, fell apart by the relievers, especially for the Phills.
Bastardo recorded just 1 out, then surrendered after Carlos Pena hit a 3 run homerun. He fell apart from the beginning, allowing 2 walks, then a homer by Pena.
Both starting pitchers were simply amazing.
Hamels pitches seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits. He walked three and struck out seven. Hamels is now 3 away from being at 1,200 career strikeouts.
Hamels was lifted because of his pitchcount which was 111.
Price had a great outing also, allowing just one run on four hits in seven innings. He struck out eight and walked three, throwing 112 pitches.
In the 8th, Pence hit a one out double, then got to third on Chooch’s single, which brought up the one and only Jim Thome. The crowds were cheering, expecting a miracle by Thome. The cheers then turned to boos as Thome was walked intenionally to load the bases.
This was walk No. 1,733, tying Mickey Mantle for 7th place. Martinez then flied out to end the inning.
Rays pitcher Rodney then ended the game striking out Pence.
Hamels was rolling with a no hitter until the fourth when a should be error was ruled a hit.
The Phillies were staked to a 1-0 lead as Rollins continued his torrid stretch with a sixth-inning home run off a Price change-up. Later in the inning, with Shane Victorino at third base, Rays centerfielder B.J. Upton ran down a liner by Mayberry for the third out.
