BY SCOTT LAUBER So, Cole Hamels was talking yesterday about how every start, from the first one in April to the last one in September, is equal. They all count the same, and surely, he approaches each one with the same singular focus and purpose -- to win. A few minutes later, though, he admitted what everyone knows.
September is different.
Hamels won 15 games last year, but most people remember the Sept. 28 start at the Bank when he struck out 13 Washington Nationals over eight innings and lifted the Phillies into first place for the first time all season. And Hamels knows that, no matter how many games he winds up winning in 2008, his season will be remembered mostly for what he does in his last few starts. He took a positive step yesterday with 6-1/3 gritty innings in a 7-3 win that drew the Phils to within two games of the wild card-leading Brewers.
Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard have made a habit of having big Septembers. Rollins is a .297 career hitter in the season's final month, and this year, he's only adding to those numbers. In 11 games this month, Rollins is batting .362 with two homers, seven RBIs and a .417 on-base percentage. Howard is a .314 career hitter in September, including .366 with six homers and 17 RBIs this year. And both guys had big days yesterday. Howard sliced a two-run double in the second inning to give the Phillies a 5-0 lead, and Rollins went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a two-run homer in the sixth.
With another all-important day-night doubleheader slated for today, the Phillies need Rollins and Howard to stay as hot as the weather. And, if you've been outside already today, you know it's going to be a hot one.
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Talked to Rich Dubee before yesterday's game, and while circumstances certainly could change, he tentatively has Brett Myers scheduled to make only two more starts after today -- Sept. 19 against the Marlins, Sept. 24 against the Braves. Dubee said it would be asking a lot for Myers to pitch twice on short rest in two weeks. For now, the Phillies have Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer and Hamels slated to pitch the final three games, with Myers ready and waiting in the bullpen, if necessary.
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Howard is the first NL player with at least 130 RBIs in three straight seasons since Sammy Sosa (1998-2001). But while Howard and Rollins are hot, Chase Utley and Pat Burrell are not. Utley has 24 hits -- but only three extra-base hits and no homers -- in his last 74 at-bats (92 plate appearances) since the seventh inning Aug. 22. Burrell, stuck in a 9-for-66 (.136) slump, hasn't homered in 70 at-bats (76 plate appearances) since the first inning Aug. 23.
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Everybody chuckled when Ed Wade traded for Randy Wolf on July 23. Were the going-nowhere Astros delusional? Did they really think they were contenders? Nobody is laughing now. The Astros have played themselves into wild-card contention, and all along, Brad Lidge knew it was dangerous to count them out. Lidge pitched for the Astros in 2004 and 2005 when they rode big second-half performances into the playoffs. And while the 2008 Astros are a much different team, Lidge said they have three common ingredients: Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt and Brad Ausmus. "Those guys know how to win," Lidge said.
If it's a Sunday, it must be another day-night doubleheader. Enjoy the games everyone, and enjoy your Sunday.
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