By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor
Don’t etch Roy Halladay’s name onto any postseason MVP awards just yet. Cole Hamels served notice that he’s ready to add some hardware to his mantle with a complete game, shutout of the Cincinnati Reds in Game 3 of the NLDS on Sunday.
With their 2-0 win, the Phillies advance to the NLCS for the third consecutive season.
Cole Hamels tossed a 119-pitch, complete game shutout to send the Phillies to their third straight NLCS. H2O will be tough for any team to beat.
Hamels was simply dominant of the Reds, much as he was during his only regular season outing against the team on July 11 — when he sent off your DailyPhiladelphian with a 1-0 win during his bachelor party. This time, Hamels came out guns blazing as he has most of the season. And, just like the regular season, the offense was borderline lame behind him.
The 2008 playoff MVP scattered just five hits, while sending nine batter down on strikes. Meanwhile, the Phils offense mustered just eight hits and gave Hamels a 1-0 lead in the first on an error by Orlando Cabrera. Wonder if he’s going to blame that on the umpire and say a different ump would have called Jayson Werth out.
That was, however, all Hamels needed as his pitches were flat out filthy. Chase Utley added a solo shot in the fifth inning.
In all, Hamels tossed 119 pitches, including 82 for strikes. His final pitch sent Scott Rolen down on strikes. Wonder if he’s feeling sorry about our luck now.
In any event, the Phillies now await the winner of the Giants-Braves series, which San Francisco leads 2-1 after today’s 3-2 comeback win in Atlanta. Then, we’ll see if Halladay can answer and retain his lead in the playoff MVP race.
