Phillies 2 - 5 Dodgers
Final
  for this game

Hamels makes season debut at Chavez Ravine

Apr 23, 2014 - 2:36 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Cole Hamels is expected to make his anticipated season debut for the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, as they resume a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine.

Sidelined since spring training with inflammation in his left shoulder, Hamels will be activated off the disabled list in time to go for his 100th career win. The 2008 World Series MVP regained his strength in a rehab assignment with Single-A Clearwater and a bullpen session in Colorado.

Hamels battled biceps tendinitis in November and suffered through arguably his worst season in the majors in 2013, when he went just 8-14 with a 3.60 earned run average in 33 starts. Hamels didn't get much run support and his 220 innings pitched were the most since the World Series of 2008 (227 1/3). Hamels allowed opposing hitters to bat .246.

The southpaw and San Diego native has pitched against the Dodgers seven times (all starts) in his career and has a 3-1 record with 49 strikeouts, four walks and a 1.76 ERA.

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said Hamels will have no restrictions. Hamels is 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA in four career starts at Dodger Stadium, including two postseason starts.

Countering Hamels for the Dodgers will be Zack Greinke. Greinke was aiming to win his fourth straight start of the season, but was saddled with a no- decision in Friday's 4-2 loss to Arizona.

Greinke was solid through six innings of work, allowing just a run and three hits, but the bullpen imploded. He struck out eight batters for a third consecutive outing and remained 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA. Greinke, though, has given up at least one home run in every start (5 total).

The right-hander will make his third start at home and has faced Philadelphia five times (4 starts) in his career, going 3-1 to go with a 2.45 ERA.

Philadelphia posted its third straight win with Tuesday's 3-2 decision in 10 innings. Domonic Brown drove home Carlos Ruiz with an RBI double in the top of the 10th inning and closer Jonathan Papelbon worked around a hit in the bottom half for his sixth save.

Marlon Byrd and Ryan Howard had an RBI apiece and starting pitcher A.J. Burnett ended 3-for-3 with a run scored at the plate. Burnett allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings of the hill in the no-decision and Antonio Bastardo was credited with the win for tossing a scoreless ninth.

"Our bullpen was outstanding," said Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg. "Burnett was very good. Brown was big (with) a double after the error. (Ben) Revere had a good day from the lead-off spot. A very good game."

Los Angeles starter Hyun-jin Ryu surrendered two runs on nine hits with three strikeouts over six innings in the no-decision.

"Ryu was really good tonight but wasn't as sharp as he's been," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "Our bullpen was good. On the defensive side, it's been a frustration for us. We have to get better."

Yasiel Puig and Dee Gordon had two hits apiece for the Dodgers, losers in two straight and five of eight games. Adrian Gonzalez was 0-for-3 and had his 16- game hitting streak come to an end.

In milestone news, the Dodgers are three wins shy of 10,000.

Los Angeles went 5-2 against the Phillies last season and won three of four games at Dodger Stadium from June 27-30.






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