Phils deal Pirates’ Cole 1st loss
Loss leader Hamels stops Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH — Gerrit Cole’s frustration at no longer being perfect was still evident nearly a half-hour after the game ended.
After finishing interviews, the rookie right-hander walked toward the shower room and slapped one of his socks against a fish tank that sits on the middle of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ clubhouse.
Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels looked more like a former World Series MVP on Thurs- day as he pitched seven strong innings, Carlos Ruiz hit a tiebreaking single and the Phillies beat Cole and the Pirates 6- 4 on Thursday. Pittsburgh (52-32) still has the best record in the majors and leads the National League Central but has lost two of three since a ninegame winning streak.
Cole (4-1) lost for the first time in the majors after becoming the first Pirates pitcher to win his first four career starts since Nick Maddox in 1907. Cole allowed three runs and eight hits in 5¥ innings.
“I thought he pitched well,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. “He’s a 22-yearold young man. He’s still learning, continuing to grow. He’s fun to watch.”
Cole took a 2- 0 lead into the fifth inning, but the Phillies halved their deficit on Ben Revere’s single. Cole was then chased during a five-run sixth that put Philadelphia ahead for good, 5-2.
Cole was removed after Ryan Howard walked with one out and Domonic Brown followed with a single.
Both teams complained
about plate umpire Chris Conroy’s strike zone and Cole seemed particularly upset after the walk to Howard, though he stopped short of being critical when asked about some close calls during that at-bat.
“I made a couple of pitches on the black (of the plate) but those pitches can go either way depending on the judgment,” Cole said. “I felt I made a couple of quality pitches.”
Vin Mazzaro, who had not allowed any of his 12 inherited runners to score this season, came on and gave up three straight singles. Delmon Young’s hit loaded the bases and Kevin Frandsen’s single tied it before Ruiz hit a liner to center to score Brown and Young and put Philadelphia ahead. Revere capped the inning by driving in a run with a grounder.
“The Pirates have a really good bullpen, but I think it made a difference when we were able to get Cole out of the game,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “He’s a good pitcher now and he’s going to be a real good pitcher. He was tough.”
Cole said his inability to control the count was the biggest reason he lost.
“The difference was working ahead or working behind in the count,” Cole said. “When I got ahead, I was able to get outs. When I fell behind, their hitters were able to leverage that and get hits.”
Hamels (3-11) gave up five hits and struck out eight in winning for the first time since June 5.
“It was being able to get back to what I know, which is establish the strike zone early then throw all my pitches,” Hamels said.