Cole Hamels sure hasn’t looked like a fourth starter so far this spring.
The Phillies lefty hurled four scoreless innings giving up just one hit and one walk while striking out three leading the Phillies to a one-hit shutout of the Red Sox Thursday afternoon.
It was Hamels second-straight scoreless start this spring.
For as impressive as Hamels was, the Phillies relievers were possibly better.
Scott Mathieson and Michael Stutes each tossed two hitless shutout innings and struck out two before Juan Perez came in for a hitless ninth.
That’s right, the Phils pitchers held the vaunted Red Sox offense to just one hit.
With the pitchers shining all the Phillies needed was a two-run double from non-roster invitee infielder Jeff Larish.
But all wasn’t peachy, Domonic Brown’s 0-fer spring continued as he went 0 for 3 with a strikeout. At least the struggling outfielder got on base -- he walked.
The win improved the Phillies to 3-3 in Grapefruit League play. Joe Blanton is set to take the hill against the Pirates Friday.
