Final
1:05 PM ET, March 10, 2013
Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, Florida
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Cole Hamels is concerned about his delivery, though it didn't seem like much of a problem Sunday in a 7-1 exhibition victory over the Houston Astros.
The Philadelphia lefty gave up a leadoff double to Tyler Greene in the first inning, then retired 14 straight hitters.Hamels alllowed one hit in five innings. Brandon Laird was the only other batter to reach against Hamels, drawing a two-out walk in the fifth.Greene scored Houston's run on a groundball. Hamels struck out one in his fourth spring start."At least I was able to build up my pitch count, which was huge," Hamels said, "but I've got to get the timing issue down so I can go seven, eight, nine innings and throw as many pitches as I have to."Five days after giving up eight runs and 12 hits to a Dominican Republic team tuning up for the World Baseball Classic, Hamels looked more like the pitcher who won a career-high 17 games last season."You just keep making adjustments and I was finally able to get a few good pitches there, but it's not as consistent as where I need it to be," he said. "It's just a timing issue. More reps obviously will help.""I feel strong and that's great, but you want to feel strong and you want your timing to be right on target, too, to pitch effectively. That's kind of where my mind's wandering. I just need to get there and I have a lot of work to do."Laynce Nix hit his first home run for the Phillies. Freddy Galvis had three straight hits and Erik Kratz hit a two-run triple off Jarred Cosart.Josh Fields took the loss after Houston starter Brad Peacock worked three shutout innings in his first start.Peacock had one of the Astros' more impressive outings of the spring while filling in for Lucas Harrell, who has a strained groin. A new sinker has given a confidence boost to the 25-year-old Peacock, who was acquired from Oakland in a trade just before the start of spring training."Everybody has always told me I need a sinker and I've always tried, but it just didn't do anything," Peacock said. "This year I just took their advice and it's working good. Hopefully I can keep that pitch going in my next start."Michael Young had two hits for the Phillies. Chase Utley went 0 for 3 and is hitless in his last 11 at-bats."He's just got to get a little mad or something and he'll be OK," manager Charlie Manuel said. "Throw some fits or something."| Stadium | Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, FL |
| Weather | 73 degrees, Cloudy |
| Wind | 10 mph, E |
| Umpires | Home - Manny Gonzalez, First Base - Andy Fletcher, Second Base - Laz Diaz |
