Arizona @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 25, 2010 ) Philadelphia 6, Arizona 8
Cole Hamels is showing glimpses of the form that made him the 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player.
After a hiccup coming out of the All-Star break, the Philadelphia Phillies have won five in a row and are putting the pieces together to mount a surge toward another playoff push.
Hamels will take the hill on Tuesday as Philadelphia (53-45) vies for its ninth straight win at Citizens Bank Park against the woe-begotten Arizona Diamondbacks (37-62).
The improved play has cut the Phillies' deficit to 4.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, while the cellar-dwelling Diamondbacks have lost four in a row and are 13-33 on the road this season.
Looking to greet the visitors rudely will be Hamels, who has pitched at least seven innings in eight of his last nine starts - but only has two victories in that stretch.
In his last outing on Thursday, the 26-year-old southpaw allowed just one hit and one walk in eight scoreless innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. As has been the case for much of the season, the Phillies were unable to provide any offense for Hamels, who was saddled with yet another no-decision.
During the Phillies' recent win streak, their offense has come alive.
Although All-Star Ryan Howard saw his 11-game hitting streak come to an end on Monday, the slugger is batting .348 since the Midsummer Classic. Not to be out done, veteran outfielder Raul Ibanez is batting .371 with eight RBIs since the All-Star break.
Back-up catcher Brian Schneider blasted a two-run triple to help polish off the Colorado Rockies on Monday and help Philadelphia record its second four-game sweep in the last two weeks. A dusting of the then-NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds prior to the All-Star break accounted for the other.
Closer Brad Lidge put the finishing touches on the series against the Rockies, although gave the Phillies faithful some agita in the process.
He permitted a two-run homer by Seth Smith in the ninth before working out of a bases-loaded jam to give Charlie Manuel his 500th career victory as Philadelphia's manager.
Looking to keep his former team at bay is Rodrigo Lopez (5-9, 4.58 ERA). The 34-year-old right-hander will take the mound in place of ace Dan Haren, who was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Saturday.
Lopez has collected three losses in his last four outings, but pitched well in his previous start. He permitted three runs and five hits while striking out seven in seven innings against San Francisco - but suffered a 3-0 setback to the Giants on Thursday.