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BSP-07
BASEBALL-MLB-CUBS-HAMELS
Hamels strikes out nine in impressive Cubs debut
WASHINGTON, Aug 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Cole Hamels made an impressive debut
for the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, striking out nine and getting his first
hit since 2016 in a 9-2 victory over the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
The left-handed pitcher, acquired on Friday from the Texas Rangers for two
pitchers and a player to be named later or cash, surrendered three hits and
walked two in five innings.
Hamels had a four-run cushion before he even threw his first pitch as the
Cubs pounced on Pirates starting pitcher Nick Kingham — and capitalized on
two Pittsburgh errors — in the first inning.
Hamels, who hadn’t pitched since July 23, was pulled after throwing 95
pitches.
He displayed a 94 mph (151 Km/h) and an effective changeup, and Cubs
manager Joe Maddon voiced the hope that despite his recent struggles for the
Rangers, Hamels will bring to Chicago the kind of form that saw him help the
Philadelphia Phillies beat Maddon’s Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 World Series.
“He can be a tremendous difference maker for us,” Maddon said.
BSS/AFP/MR/1040 hrs