Phillies 2 - 3 Nationals
Final
  for this game

Hamels aims to build off recent feat in finale with Nats

Sep 7, 2014 - 1:01 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - It's not often that a pitcher will be looking to improve after being involved in something never before done in franchise history.

That may be the case for Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels on Sunday afternoon as he takes the mound for the Phillies in the finale of a three-game series with the Washington Nationals.

It will be Hamels' first appearance since being part of a combined no-hitter last Monday versus Atlanta.

The left-hander threw the first six innings of the feat on Monday versus the Braves, but his pitch count ran to 108 as he walked five while striking out seven. He was lifted for a pinch-hitter and got the win.

"I understood coming around the sixth inning that it was going to be a short game," said Hamels. "Understanding the situation and what was going on, I wasn't really too worried about it."

Jake Diekman, Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon preserved the no-hitter, each tossing a clean inning out of the bullpen in the first combined no-hitter in team history.

"I have the utmost respect and faith in the bullpen because they've been outstanding all year, especially these three guys," continued Hamels. "They've been some of the best."

Hamels is unbeaten in his past five starts (2-0) and is 8-6 on the year with a 2.50 earned run average that ranks among the National League's leaders.

The 30-year-old is 0-1 in three starts against the Nationals this season with a 2.57 ERA.

While Hamels was part of history, Washington starter Gio Gonzalez had to just be happy with getting a win last time out and he hopes for a repeat result today.

Winless since July 5, the left-handed Gonzalez was on the right end of a 6-4 decision over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. He gave up three runs over six-plus innings, retiring 13 straight at one point as he settled down after allowing an early homer.

Gonzalez snapped a nine-start winless drought in which he was 0-5 and improved to 7-9 with a 3.89 ERA on the year.

Like Hamels, the southpaw is winless in this season series, going 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA in three starts against Philadelphia.

The Phillies are aiming to sweep the Nationals for the second straight series, having won all three games of a set in Philadelphia from Aug. 25-27, and lead the season series 10-8.

They won their second in a row in this set with last night's 3-1 win, keyed by Ryan Howard's two RBI and seven innings of one-run ball from A.J. Burnett.

Burnett allowed six hits while striking out four. He improved to 12-5 lifetime against the Nationals, including a 4-2 mark this year.

"It's been a case of pitching really well against us," said Nationals manager Matt Williams.

Domonic Brown hit a solo homer for Philadelphia, which has won 11 of its last 15 overall and secured a season series victory over the NL East-leading Nats.

"We've been having a lot of fun the last month or two," said Brown. "We have a great group of guys here."

Anthony Rendon drove in the lone run for Washington, which saw starter Tanner Roark give up three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts over six innings in his club's third loss in four games.






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