Phillies overcome Hamels injury with home run barrage

(AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr)

Cole Hamels just can't catch a break. In his first start since Prince Fielder hit a line drive off his shoulder, Hamels was cruising against the Nationals, pitching 4 and 1/3rd scoreless innings. Then, as luck would have it, Hamels was the victim of another freak injury when he rolled his ankle trying to field a bunt. The early word is that Hamels sprained his ankle but there is talk that he won't miss his next start and it's very unlikely he will go on the disabled list.

You have to feel for Hamels, he just can't seem to get his 2009 season going. After a dominating playoff performance last year, Hamels hoped carry some momentum into a possible Cy Young season this year. Due to a stretch of bad luck, instead he has already suffered his third injury of the young season.

The Phillies would not be denied in this game, however, and beat the Nationals 7-1. After crushing 2 grand slams yesterday, the Phils continued their homer party with 4 dingers tonight, 2 from Chase Utley and one each from Pedro Feliz and Raul Ibanez. The man rapidly becoming a fan favorite, Ibanez, continued his torrid start to the season and now has 7 homers on the year to go with a .355 batting average. He has made everyone quickly forget about Pat the Bat, who is not hitting much with the Rays this season.

The Phillies offense has repeatedly bailed the pitching out. While it is nice that the offense is capable of exploding on a nightly basis, eventually the Phils will need to get something from their starting pitching. Hamels' start tonight was progress, let's hope he can heal up and avoid a stint on the DL.