Phillies manager Manuel supports pitcher Hamels

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NEW YORK (MCT) — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel threw his support squarely in the corner of Cole Hamels, saying he would have confidence in sending the lefthander out to the mound for a potential Game 7 on Thursday.

Ever since Hamels allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings of an 8-5 loss to the Yankees in Game 3, his future has been the subject of much debate among fans and media members. After the outing, during which he cruised through his first three innings then allowed a two-run homer to Alex Rodriguez in the fourth and three more runs in the fifth, Hamels was quoted as saying he could not wait for the season to be over, which was interpreted by some to mean that he had given up on pitching well in the postseason.

After the Phillies’ 8-6 win in Game 5, Hamels spent 10 to 15 minutes meeting with Manuel, during which he stated his case for starting a possible Game 7. Later, he explained himself to reporters, saying he did not realize how his answer to a question about how he would assess his season would look in print.

“I think Charlie knows me,” Hamels said. “He’s managed me for quite a few years. I think the only doubt it left in people’s minds was the fans,’ and that hurts because I love the city of Philadelphia, and I play as hard as I possibly can. I might not necessarily have the results that they hope, but I know that if I go out there and do everything I possibly can, and in the end, if they see that I’ve left everything I possibly can out on the field, then I think they can respect that.”

Manuel said he and Hamels worked things out.

“We talked about some of the things that were said, and I felt very good about it, really,” Manuel said. “I know Hamels. I’ve been a Hamels guy ever since I saw him pitch in Lakewood ... I want you to listen to this _ I never, ever questioned his mental toughness, because he’s just as tough as anybody on our team. And I mean that.”

And if there is a Game 7?

“I’m not hesitant to pitch him any time,” Manuel said. “But we’ve got tomorrow to play. I’m not going to say who’s going to pitch. Cole Hamels can pitch for me any time.”

Victorino update: Shane Victorino, who was hit on the hand with an A.J. Burnett pitch, was examined by doctors in Philadelphia. X-rays revealed no fracture, but his index finger remains swollen, and his status for Wednesday night remains up in the air.

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