Francoeur’s 2-run HR in 9th lifts Phillies past Marlins

Hamels turned in his second straight clunker Sunday afternoon, lasting only three innings in Philadelphia’s 8-7 victory over the Miami Marlins. I don’t really know the extent of it right now. The right-hander, who won his first two starts, gave up two runs and four hits in six innings with six strikeouts and one walk.

On the other end, there was nothing happening for the Phillies against Fernandez, another guy who had most of his 2014 season wiped out by an elbow injury, but is quickly returning to the form he flashed two years ago.

He began this season on the DL, finally made it back from rehab on May 5, but went out with a shoulder strain after three appearances. Ryan Howard singled home Ben Revere and Domonic Brown drove in Maikel Franco. Needless to say when J.T Realmuto hit a homer in the 9th and the Marlins tried to get a rally going the fans we’re not pleased one bit.

By then, Hamels had allowed three consecutive singles to begin the second inning, along with a Dan Haren bunt that scored Cole Gillespie to give Miami a 2-0 lead. He retired the last 12 batters he faced. “Great energy. Loves playing baseball and I think it rubs off on the rest of the guys”. “I have a lot of pitches, but [when] none of them are going for strikes it’s easy to know what’s coming”.

Ken Giles pitched around two hits in the eighth for the Phillies, firing a 100 miles per hour fastball past Adeiny Hechavarria to strand runners on second and third.

The Phillies are considering doing that with players such as Hamels and closer Jonathan Papelbon.

“We had 10 hits and hit 13 balls hard and had nothing to show for it”, Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. “We’re not that kind of ballclub….” The bullpen door opened and Jake Diekman jogged to the infield. Dietrich moved to second when Francoeur’s throw from left field got past catcher Ruiz, and he scored on Suzuki’s single.

The Phillies are 35-1 in games Giles and Papelbon pitch together. But his performances of late reflect an elite pitcher who’s not on his game.

The Red Sox have been the most logical on-paper fit for Hamels’ services since last off-season, but it’s fair to wonder if giving up young talent for him still makes sense for them.

Both starters could be traded to contenders by the July 31 deadline, but neither was impressive Sunday, partly because of stifling 93-degree heat. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton (hand) remain sidelined while Dee Gordon (fractured finger) was placed on the 15-day disabled list. With the advancements in Tommy John surgery, recipients have had more success earlier after the procedure, but there is still a period of inconsistency with command and overall results. He didn’t get a decision in his last start when allowing one run on eight hits in five innings of Philadelphia’s 8-5 loss at San Francisco July 11. It’s uncertain whether Williams rejoins the rotation when he’s ready. In four starts against the Phillies, Fernandez is 1-1 with a 2.86 ERA. Haren is enjoying a comeback year but Hamels needs a win after his last debacle…

Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin pulled the plug on Hamels after the lefty threw just 76 pitches and said the starter didn’t make quality pitches, however, he’s not too concerned.