BY SCOTT LAUBERBefore we get to last night's historic performance, a few notes:
1. After allowing seven runs on nine hits in only 4-2/3 innings last Wednesday night in Atlanta, Cole Hamels talked to us for nearly 10 minutes about why he'd been struggling since his complete-game shutout June 4 at Dodger Stadium. The conversation provided little insight, mostly head-scratching, but Hamels said he would search for answers by watching video. Turns out, a video session revealed a slight mechanical flaw in which Hamels was "leaking," pulling off before he released the ball. He concluded he was giving hitters a longer, better look at the pitch he was about to throw. He worked to correct the problem during his between-starts bullpen session last weekend, asking catcher Mick Billmeyer to set up farther behind the plate than usual. The idea: Hamels wanted to "throw through the target," extend his follow-through and his delivery and work out the problems. But, given a 10-run lead last night, he was able to make in-game adjustments, too. And after Johnny Gomes' opposite-field leadoff homer in the second inning, Hamels retired 11 consecutive batters and 17 of 18 to finish seven walk-free innings. "You've got so many runs to work with, you can just focus on what you need to do," he said. "It was perfect timing for us to put up so many runs while I'm trying to work on some things."
2. So, Charlie Manuel isn't overly excited about the prospect of signing Pedro Martinez. I'll bet he would be more excited about Roy Halladay. Well, Halladay (pictured) is available, Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi told the well-sourced Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com. Of course, he won't come cheap. For the Blue Jays to trade Halladay, they'll ask for at least two, maybe three, top prospects. I'm not sure who they'd want from the Phillies, but I'm certain Ruben Amaro Jr. will find out. Halladay is signed through 2010, and he'll make $15.75 million next season. That's a big financial commitment for the Phillies, whose payroll already has climbed above $130 million. But if they foot most of the bill for Halladay, the cost in talent won't be as great. If the asking price is Kyle Drabek and Dominic Brown, would you do it?
3. The Phillies scored more runs last night (22) than in any game they hve ever played at Citizens Bank Park, but really, that's not a big deal. The Bank has only been open since 2004. The more impressive stat: By beating the Reds, 22-1, the Phillies achieved the most lopsided win in modern franchise history, surpassing a 19-run, 26-7 throttling of the Mets on June 11, 1985 at the Vet. It also was the third-most runs they'd scored in a nine-inning game in modern franchise history, trailing only that 26-run eruption against the Mets and 23-run outbursts June 13, 1900 at Pittsburgh and Aug. 25, 1922 at Chicago.
More in a bit.
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