Cole Hamels pitched a complete-game gem to help a team clinch a postseason berth on Sunday.
The Phillies' season, however, is still decidedly over.
I'm happy to see Cole helping the Texas Rangers on to the postseason by clinching the AL West yesterday; it's nice to see the stud pitcher have success since departing Philadelphia. That said, it does bring up some sad emotions, of yearning for those joyous days of meaningful October baseball at Citizens Bank Park.
Hamels gave up an early home run to Albert Pujols but was locked in after that. He finished with a line of 9.0 IP, 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, and 8 strikeouts.
“The reason they made the deal for me was for a day like this,” Hamels told reporters following the game. “I wanted to be out there. We all believed.”
He's right. That's exactly the kind of performance a team wants out of a guy they give up major prospects for at the deadline.
You can watch Hamels get showered after the final out below, ending the Los Angeles Angels hope of a playoff appearance in the process.
MLB
The Rangers take on the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the ALDS on Thursday. Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins will be back in the postseason as well as the Los Angeles Dodgers kick off Game 1 against the New York Mets on Friday.
Jonathan Papelbon and the Washington Nationals did not make the postseason.
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