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The
Philadelphia Phillies
are trying to turn around their season. It would be a big help if
Cole Hamels
does.
The surging Phillies hand the ball to the rookie left-hander on Monday in the opener of a three-game series against the
San Diego Padres
.
Hamels (2-4, 5.44 ERA) has been a big disappointment for Philadelphia (42-48) since his major league debut. On July 9 against
the
Pittsburgh Pirates
, the 22-year-old southpaw won for the first time in a month, pitching five innings while allowing three runs and six hits.
He struck out seven in the 8-3 win.
''In the first inning my control was off, but I think I bounced back. Then guys get some hits and you don't expect them to
hit that,'' Hamels said. ''That's where you learn to battle and make yourself better.''
He was 0-4 with a 7.57 ERA in the five starts between the two victories. This will be a trip home for the rookie, who grew
up 25 miles from Petco Park.
''To me, on the field, it's just another day,'' he said. ''Being able to see my family, that's always important. I'm just
fortunate enough to pitch in San Diego.''
Hamels did face the Padres at Citizens Bank Park on July 4, but was pulled after allowing one run in two innings due to a
one-hour rain delay.
Since falling a season-high nine games under .500 on July 7, the Phillies have bounced back to win four of five. A victory
Monday would be the team's third straight, which would mark its longest winning streak since a four-game run from June 4-7.
Philadelphia is 12 games behind the NL East-leading
New York Mets
after trailing by just 3 1/2 games on June 8. The team lost 18 of its final 25 games heading into the All-Star break.
The Phillies took two of three from the
San Francisco Giants
over the weekend, including Sunday's 6-2 win.
Chase Utley
hit a leadoff triple to start a four-run rally in the eighth inning, extending his hitting streak to a career-best 18 games.
Philadelphia had won 11 in a row against the Padres before losing the final two games of the teams' three-game set from July
4-6. The Phillies have won their last eight games at San Diego.
The NL West-leading Padres (48-43) are coming off a weekend sweep at the hands of the
Atlanta Braves
after losing 10-5 on Sunday.
Brian Giles
was 3-for-4 and is hitting .529 (9-for-17) over the last four games with four doubles and four runs scored.
San Diego's starters have allowed seven runs in four straight games.
''We have to throw better,'' said Padres manager
Bruce Bochy
. ''We've had four starts where our starters have struggled.''
San Diego will start
Woody Williams
(4-1, 3.08), who has won his last three decisions. The veteran right-hander won his most recent start on July 7 against the
Washington Nationals
, allowing two runs and six hits over 5 1-3 innings in the 3-2 win.
''I feel good, I feel confident,'' Williams said. ''I look for big things in the second half.''
Williams is 3-5 with a 4.94 ERA in nine starts against Philadelphia. He hasn't faced the Phillies since 2004, losing to them
for the third straight time.
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