The Phillies dropped the finale of their three game set with the Red Sox 5-2, but still send Boston packing with a series loss. That said, more important than the outcome of the game is the health of Cole Hamels, who left the game in the fourth inning after taking an Adrian Gonzalez line drive off his non pitching hand.
X-rays taken later were negative and Hamels is expected to make his next start. Unfortunately, Hamels exit signaled the end for the Phillies this afternoon. David Herndon came on in relief and immediately gave up two runs in the fifth and another in the sixth. Andrew Carpenter relieved him and served up another two in the 8th with a pair of homers from Jason Varitek and Dustin Pedroia. Varitek actually went yard twice on the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Sox starter Jon Lester mowed through the Phillies lineup going seven shutout innings and allowing just two hits. The Phils would get on the board in the ninth when Ryan Howard hit a 2-run shot off Bobby Jenks, but that would do it for an afternoon where the Phillies managed just four hits.
Although his start was abbreviated, Hamels left the game having not surrendered a run meaning that Phillies starers ended June with a 1.96 ERA. They are the first team since 1992 to have their starters combine for a sub 2.00 ERA over a full month.
Next up for the Phillies is a trip to Toronto to take on the Blue Jays.