By MARTIN FRANK
In the 3rd inning, the Brewers were ready to giftwrap runs to the Phillies. Carlos Ruiz led off with a single. Cole Hamels squared to bunt. It went right to charging 3rd baseman Bill Hall. He bobbled it, or else he would have nailed Ruiz at 2nd. He threw to 1st and second baseman Rickie Weeks, covering on the play, dropped it. They had runners on 1st and 2nd with the top of the order coming up. So of course Jimmy Rollins swung at the first pitch and popped out. Jimmy is a great player, but sometimes he needs to take a strike and let the pitcher get himself into a deep count.
His teammates showed him how. With 2 out, Chase Utley worked the count full, got a fast ball and drilled it to center for a 2-run double. Ryan Howard was walked intentionally and Pat Burrell worked out a walk to load the bases. This is what I'm talking about. Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo was getting rattled. He fell behind Shane Victorino 3-and-1 before walking him, too. Now it's 3-0.
By the way, not to jinx him or anything, but Hamels has a no-hitter through 4.
UPDATE: Not more than 3 seconds after I posted this blog, Corey Hart singled to right with 2 outs in the 5th. Sorry. You can blame me if you'd like.
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