NewsHamels set to duel CC in New York
Philadelphia (23-18) at New York (25-18), 1:05 p.m. ET
By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com
05/23/09 8:15 PM ET
NEW YORK -- No matter what happens to CC Sabathia in the rest of his career, his place in Phillies history is secure.
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Shane Victorino hit a grand slam against Sabathia in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Oct. 2 at Citizens Bank Park. Sabathia had just put runners on first and third with two outs when he walked Brett Myers in a memorable nine-pitch at-bat.
The loud Phillies crowd appeared to rattle Sabathia, who walked Jimmy Rollins on four pitches to load the bases.
Victorino then yanked a 1-2 slider from Sabathia over the left-field wall for a grand slam to give the Phillies a four-run lead in a 5-2 victory that helped the Phillies advance to the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and ultimately the World Series championship over the Tampa Bay Rays.
This is Sabathia's first time facing the Phillies since Game 2, but just because the Phillies had success against Sabathia in October, it doesn't mean they're not in for a tough afternoon in May.
"I know CC well," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "He'll want to prove he can beat us. He'll give us everything he's got. At the same time, we'll give him everything we've got."
The Phillies have left-hander Cole Hamels on the mound, which could set up a good afternoon of pitching.
Pitching matchupPHI: LHP Cole Hamels (2-2, 4.95 ERA)
Hamels continues to provide some much needed stability to the Phillies' rotation. He allowed three runs in six innings Tuesday in a 4-3 victory over the Reds at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Hamels is 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA in his past four starts, which is something the Phillies' bullpen certainly appreciates. This is Hamels' second career start against the Yankees. He pitched well, allowing two runs on six hits in seven innings in June 2006, but was on the losing end of a 5-0 defeat. NYY: LHP CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.43 ERA)
Sabathia was dominant in his last start, limiting the Orioles to one run on three hits on Tuesday to log his first victory at the new Yankee Stadium. The $161 million staff ace walked one and struck out seven in the 105-pitch outing, leaving after the Yankees gave him plenty of cushion with a seven-spot in the seventh inning. Sabathia has won his past three starts, going 3-0 with a 1.12 ERA in those outings against Baltimore (twice) and Toronto. Tidbits
Raul Ibanez hit a solo home run to left-center field in the second inning Saturday. It was his Major League-leading 17th homer of the season. It also was his 10th homer in May, the most Ibanez has hit in any month in his career. ... The Phillies traded Triple-A Lehigh Valley right-hander Justin Lehr to the Reds for cash considerations. ... The Phillies are the only National League team to have three players with 30 or more RBIs: Ibanez, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. Tickets
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• WPHT 1210, WUBA 1480 (Español) Up next
• Monday: Phillies (Jamie Moyer, 3-4, 7.62) vs. Marlins (Chris Volstad, 3-3, 3.64), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Phillies (Joe Blanton, 2-3, 7.11) vs. Marlins (Andrew Miller, 1-1, 4.94), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Phillies (TBD) vs. Marlins (TBD), 7:05 p.m. ET
Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
