[Note: this is a joint product of the Good Phight blog lords.]
After another mediocre outing on July 6, Hamels' ERA stood where it had been much of the year - just a tick over 4. However, since then, he's started 12 games and posted a 1.83 ERA over 83.67 innings. He's struck out more than a batter an inning and walked only 17. In short, he's been incredible.
And, after another virtuoso performance last night, Cole Hamels is the owner of a scoreless innings streak that now stands at 25.67, the longest such streak for a Phillie since Randy Wolf went 27 consecutive scoreless innings in 2002.
To commemorate the occasion of this incredible run, the Good Phight takes a look back at how the world has changed since Cole Hamels last allowed a runner to cross home plate on his watch.
Way back on August 24, when Hamels let two Astros score in the top of the fourth inning:
- The Padres were 25 games over .500 and had a solid lead in the NL West.
- The Cardinals looked like they had a serious chance to make the post-season.
- The Braves and Phillies were still in lock step with Atlanta staying 2.5 games ahead.
- Chapmania had not gripped the majors yet.
- Jimmy Rollins had an OPS over .700. And was healthy.
- Mike Zagurski and Nate Robertson were still viewed as viable major league pitchers.
- The Inquirer sports section reported on things other than who Kevin Kolb took to his junior prom.
- Stacey Andrews, Quintin Demps, and Macho Harris were Eagles.
- Lisa Murkowski was going to easily win in November as an incumbent senator up for re-election in Alaska.
- Carl Greene was doing a great job running the PHA.
- Earl was just a baby, and Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, and Igor were not even born yet.
- Terry Jones was just a member of Monty Python.
- Paris Hilton had an arrest record that included only alcohol and cannabis-related crimes.
Who knows how much more the world will have changed once Cole finally lets up another run....