So he threw a changeup. Escobar whiffed.
Hamels walked off the mound with seven more scoreless innings and a 3.18 ERA in 2010 - which ranks 16th in the National League. And he might be the third-best pitcher on his own staff.
With all of the attention on the two Roys (and rightfully so), Hamels is penning a spectacular season. The win-loss record won't show it, but Hamels cannot be blamed for the lack of offensive support he's seen.
Friday was the same story. Twice this season, Hamels has lost 1-0 games. Now he has won two 1-0 games. The lefthander now has an 18-inning scoreless streak.
This time, he had help from the bullpen in protecting a tight lead.
Wanting to give Brad Lidge a day off (much like he intentionally avoided Ryan Madson on Thursday), Charlie Manuel had Jose Contreras and Madson finish off the game. Lidge had pitched in three straight games and five of the last seven.
Contreras, the hulking righthander who Manuel affectionately calls "Big Truck," threw three straight balls to the first batter he faced, Jonathan Lucroy. But he threw strike one and then induced a ground out to short.
Pinch-hitter Joe Inglett struck out on four pitches and after starting Rickie Weeks off with three consecutive balls, he too struck out swinging on a 94 m.p.h. fastball.
Madson, who earned his first save since April 24, was sharp after a day off. His velocity dipped Wednesday in Los Angeles when he was used for the fifth time in six days. On Friday, he hovered in the mid-90s and hit 96 m.p.h. with a fastball.
He needed just 11 pitches to retire the side in order - but not before a deep fly ball to center that Shane Victorino ran down. The crowd exhaled, and the Phillies stormed on the field to celebrate a still-perfect September.
