Cole wins 15th; Ruf is #48

Friday night in Trenton, Carlos Carrasco started the game for Akron and was immediately hit around.  The first 4 hitters of the game went single, double, single, and home run and before Carlos could settle in, 4 runs were on the board.  He then retired the next 6 straight to complete his 2 innings.  Trenton went on to an 11-7 win, staying alive in the series, trailing 2 games to 1.  Carrasco did not receive a decision, as Akron overcame the early deficit and actually took the lead a t one point.

In Modesto, Domingo Santana had an RBI double and scored a run, and also walked to help the Lancaster JetHawks take an 11-3 win in the opening game of the California League Championship Series.

In Houston, Cole Hamels won his career high 15th game of the season, matching his total from 2008, as the Phillies took it to the Astros, 12-6. Cole (15-6, 3.06) went 7 innings, allowing 4 runs, just 3 earned, on 7 hits and 1 walk, striking out 8.   It was win #62 for HomeSiders in the major leagues this season.  Justin De Fratus allowed an UNearned run on 1 hit in his inning of work.  In the 9th inning, Darin Ruf made his debut, hitting for De Fratus and grounding out.  Darin is the 48th former BlueClaw to play in the major leagues, and the 9th to debut this year!  Ryan Howard (.233) had a single, a double, a walk, and drove in 3 runs (44),  Carlos Ruiz (.337) had a walk, and scored twice, and Domonic Brown (.242) belted his 3rd home run, a 2-run shot into the upper deck in the 7th inning.  With the Cardinals dropping an 8-5 game in LA, the Phillies are just 3 games out of a playoff spot with 17 games to go.

In Cleveland, Justin Verlander shut out the Indians, 4-0.  Jason Donald was 0 for 2 and was hit by a pitch in the game for Cleveland.........In Toronto, Anthony Gose (.217) went 0 for 3, with a walk and a run scored for the Blue Jays in their 8-5 loss to Boston..........In Miami, the Marlins beat the Reds, 4-0.  Alfredo Simon (2.38)  threw a 1-2-3 9th inning for Cincinnati........In Atlanta, the Braves edged the Nationals, 2-1.  Michael Bourn, in the midst of a 6 for 37 slump, did not start, but came on later and did get a hit to help build the game winning run in the bottom of the 9th!