Cole Hamels would not say the season is slipping away, even as the Phillies face double-digit deficits in both the division and wild-card races. He did, however, set the bar lower.
"We have to give it everything that we have," Hamels said. "I know with having the extra wild card in the mix, it always gives you a shot. That's just kind of something that we're going to have to strive for because that's kind of ultimately where we're going to have to be."
Pitchers homer
Hamels and Matt Cain traded home runs in the third inning, marking the first time opposing pitchers homered off one another in the same game since May 18, 2002. Atlanta's Kevin Millwood and Colorado's Denny Stark did it that day at Coors Field.
Hamels had never allowed a home run to the opposing pitcher. He had also never homered himself.
"You wait long enough and hopefully, eventually, you can have one," Hamels said. "The situation that it happened, I think that I'll enjoy that more than anything with giving up the first home run I've ever given up to a pitcher, to be able to get one [myself]."
Nix coming
The Phillies could activate outfielder Laynce Nix as early as Sunday following a two-game stint at triple-A Lehigh Valley to rehab a strained left calf. Nix also played in six games for single-A Clearwater.
He has been on the disabled list since May 10 with the injury. To make space, it is likely Jason Pridie would be removed from the roster. Pridie has options remaining, so he could go to triple A without passing through waivers.
Extra bases
Shane Victorino notched his 1,000th career hit with a single in the sixth inning. . . . Hamels allowed three home runs in a game for the first time since June 26, 2010, against Toronto.
