One game couldn’t have summarized the entire 2014 season any better than the season finale: the Phils, behind Cole Hamels, fall behind early by a small margin, the bullpen keeps it close but the offense can’t string together enough walks, hits, or anything else to give the Phillies the lead. The Phillies dropped their season finale today to the Atlanta Braves 2-1, falling to 73-89 for the second season in a row, finishing 22 games out of first place and in last place in the NL East for the first time since 2000.
Hamels Completes Best Season of Career
Hamels took one on the chin today, both literally and figuratively. Hamels took a one-hopper to the face in the fifth inning of a meaningless game but stayed in the game despite moderate levels of blood coming from his mouth. Hamels, who gave up two Atlanta runs on an Emilio Bonafacio homer to start the game and on a Freddie Freeman single, would stay in the game, completing an eight-inning, seven-strikeout effort, adding two of the Phillies six hits. Hamels would not allow a hit after the first inning, essentially throwing eight innings of no-hit ball after allowing two runs.
Hamels finishes the season 9-9 despite posting a career-best 2.46 ERA. Hamels ends play fifth in the NL in ERA, seventh in FIP, and 11th in K/9 IP. Hamels ERA and FIP are career-bests. Hamels started 30 games for the seventh-straight season despite starting the season on the DL and has the longest Phillies’ streak of seasons with 30 or more starts since Steve Carlton strung together nine such seasons from 1972 through 1980.
Offense Once Again Goes Missing
Ben Revere, Ryan Howard, Freddy Galvis, and Grady Sizemore all had one hit each with Galvis scoring the only run of the game in the bottom of the eighth on a Revere double play ball. The missing offense was nothing new: the Phillies end the season tenth in the NL in batting average, 12th in OBP, 12th in SLG, 12th in OPS, and 14th in fWAR.
Goodbye, for now.
Starting this week, we have some exclusive end-of-season interviews with a few current and former Phillies and we will provide countdowns of the top moments and our customary end of season report cards. And of course, our Free Agent: Pass or Play series will return in the offseason, as well.
From all of us at Phillies Nation, thank you for visiting us throughout the season and for your support. Despite the long, sometimes arduous season, it has once again been a pleasure to discuss Phillies baseball with you during the 2014 season.