PHILADELPHIA -- A.J. Burnett and Cole Hamels were wild cards coming into the World Series.
How would Burnett handle his first Series?
Could Hamels rebound to his form of 2008?
Burnett pitched seven impressive innings for the New York Yankees to win Game 2 and credited Philadelphia Phillies lefty Cliff Lee, Game 1 winner.
Burnett said he was inspired watching Lee's post Game 1 on-field TV interview talking about "confidence and believing in his stuff."
Obviously, Lee's teammate Hamels did not see the interview.
Hamels, the Series MVP a year ago, stubbed both big toes Saturday and so the Phillies sent Joe Blanton against CC Sabathia, on three days rest, to avoid falling 3-1 behind the New York Yankees in Game 4 last night at Citizens Bank Park.
After allowing one of the first 11 hitters he faced (a hit batter) to reach base, Hamels allowed seven of the next 10 Yanks to get on, starting with a walk on a 3-2 pitch to Mark Teixeira, a drive by Alex Rodriguez that was a double, then ruled a homer and a run-scoring single to Yanks pitcher Andy Pettitte, with his third career hit, on a breaking ball.
Why help a pitcher by throwing him anything other than a fastball?
ADVANTAGE GONE
The 3-0 lead was gone. The home-field advantage was gone. If it was an unsettling performance for the Phillies -- five runs in 41/3 innings -- post-game was worse.
"I can't wait for it to end," Hamels told reporters early Sunday morning after the rain-delayed game ended. "It's been mentally draining. At year's end, you can't wait for a fresh start."
Can't wait for it to end?
This is what the ex-ace says after a game? The day before Yanks closer Mariano Rivera, 40, was saying "this is what we fight for, it's not time to rest, not time to feel bad or injured."
"I was surprised to hear Cole's comments," his manager Charlie Manuel said. "I don't really understand exactly how he meant it. Cole was the MVP last year in the Series. That's what everybody talks about, raves about that.
"Since Day 1, he's been what they call a high-profile pitcher and everybody has always talked about him. He's had success from the get-go and was considered a top-notch pitcher."
Hamels has not displayed the best make-up this post-season.
Hamels appeared to pick Carlos Gonzalez off first in the National League division series against the Colorado Rockies, but Ryan Howard committed a throwing error and the runner was safe at second. When the ball was returned to Hamels, he made his displeasure clear, snapping his glove like a Little Leaguer whose father was yelling at him.
Chase Utley threw a potential double-play ball into the dugout in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hamels threw his hands into the air. Manny Ramirez homered.
"I didn't see that," Manuel said. "I watched the double play, but you have to be in control, Cole is more professional than that."
Neither Howard, nor Utley walked toward the mound and threw their arms in disgust after Hamels coughed up the Rodriguez homer or the Pettitte single.
"Cole did not pitch a whole lot in the minors," Manuel said. "He did well last year, all of a sudden he has problems. He's been inconsistent."
Like Lee, Burnett is an Arkansas resident. Both are represented by the same agent, Darek Braunecker.
The Arkansas boys are mowing 'em down combining for 16 Series innings, allowing one earned run.
The cool California kid from San Diego, Hamels, the one who grew up idolizing Tom Glavine and Pettitte, has not delivered for Phillies fans. He was outpitched by Pettitte, who is 12 years older.
Will the Phillies give the ball to Hamels in Game 7, if there is one?
BOB.ELLIOTT@SUNMEDIA.CA
