It is a rare to see elite pitchers go three or four starts without them putting a W beside their win totals, so I am glad the streak is over. One won the game with the help of a grand slam and the other won the game with his team hanging 10 runs on the opposition in the first inning.
Matt Cain was battling Sean West and the Marlins for a few innings before a grand slam by Pablo Sandoval put Cain ahead for good. It doesn't take a big lead to make Cain seem untouchable, and the Sandoval slam sealed the deal. He pitched 6 2/3 innings of 5 hit ball and allowed one run. He picked up win #10 on the year and #40 of his career. I still say if the Giants can somehow make it into the post season the one two punch of Cain and Lincecum could be unbeatable.
Cole Hamels pitched 7 innings of 3 hit ball for just his fifth win of the year. He couldn't have had much to complain about when it comes to run support. Following homeruns by Shane Victorino, Greg Dobbs and Chase Utley, Cole went back to the mound in the second inning with a 10 run lead. The Phillies ended up putting up 22 runs on the board as they kicked the Reds around inning after inning. Hamels had not won in his last 5 starts which covered close to a month.
Why do I keep Hamels on the list of top 13 potential 300 game winners? It is because he still has the talent to win a lot of games. There is something still not quite right with Hamels. His ERA is up almost 2 runs/games this year, but I am hoping last night might put him back in the right groove, so to speak. He did win #43 in just his 100th career start. I hope to see Hamels pile up some wins over the rest of the year and see if he can get to the 53-55 game win total by the end of the year.
Great pitching performance last night was turned in by 21 year old Brett Anderson who pitched a complete game 2 hit, 9 K shutout performance against the powerful Red Sox squad. In his last 14 + innings he has allowed only 1 run.
Game of the night was a 1-0 win by the Rockies over the Nationals. Jason Marquis picked up win 11 on the year with an 8 hit shutout, while Craig Stammen was the hardluck loser despite pitching 7 innings of 5 hit ball and allowed just a first inning run. Marquis is now the MLB leader in wins and won at least 11 games for the sixth straight year. Impressive as the 31 year old picked up career win #90.
Overall it was a great night of pitching, except for Johnny Cueto. He was the unfortunate hurler that go beat up by the Phillies offense.
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