Cole Hamels struck out eight over eight innings and Ryan Madson got the his pressure save as the Phillies broke their four game losing streak and beat the Rockies 2-1 at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies anemic offense once again failed to provide much support, but tonight Hamels didn't need it. The lefty gave up just five hits and allowed only one run on a Todd Helton RBI double in the 7th inning. Hamels also also reached 1,000 career innings pitched tonight, the 60th active pitcher in the majors to do so. Wilson Valdez was involved in both Phillies runs, knocking in Raul Ibanez for the first in the fifth inning and scoring the second on a Jimmy Rollins sac fly in the 8th.
The ninth inning was heart in throat stuff. Ryan Madson came on and promptly allowed a leadoff double to Seth Smith. However, he would rebound and struck out Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki for the first two outs of the inning. That brought up Todd Helton and a mound visit... Madson then walked Helton, not entirely intentionally, but clearly Madson wasn't going to give him anything to hit. With two on and two out, the Rockies sent up Jason Giambi to pinch hit and Madson struck him out for his seventh save of the season.
Joe Blanton takes the hill against Jhoulys Chacin tomorrow night in game two.