Thursday, May 3, 2012

Phils/Braves game unbelivable for so many reasons

It wasn't the type of game you want to relive, but last night's Phillies/Braves 11 inning debacle was a memorable one.  Here are some of the remarkable stats from the game for the Phillies:

HITTING

13 runs scored was 16% of their previous run total.

13 runs is 5 more than the Phillies have scored in any other game this season.

The Phillies increased their runs per game from 3.33 to 3.72 and improved to ninth in the league in runs scored.

Ruiz knocked in more runs in one game (7) than the season totals of all but 4 of his teammates.

Ruiz now has 17 RBIs and leads the team in that category by 3.

PITCHING

15 runs allowed is 6 more than the Phils have allowed in any other game. 

15 runs allowed is 16% of their previous run total.

Halladay has given up 2 more runs than anyone else on the Phillies pitching staff.

The Phillies increased their ERA nearly half a run per game from 2.94 to 3.42 and dropped to sixth in the league in ERA.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Quotable quotes for Cole Hamels

In what seems to be a recurring theme, Cole Hamels was overlooked last night.  But I was able to find a few good quotes regarding Cole.

Hamels fell behind a lot of hitters and threw a crapload of pitches in his six innings last night.  Originally I thought he just had bad stuff, but it sounds like the Braves deserve a little credit:

"The plan I had going into the game, and the way I thought their approach would be, definitely wasn't," he said. "It was the complete opposite."

And here's a quote from Matt Diaz of the Braves:

"I never tip my hat to many pitchers, but Cole Hamels is one I will constantly tip my hat to," he said. "He bared right down after the McCann homer. He's fun to play against because it's always going to be a battle, but it's frustrating as heck because he wins a lot of those battles."

You would not have heard that quote three years ago.  Cole needed to learn how to control himself and he did just that.  Mental strength is what separates good from great and Hamels has moved from the former to the latter.