PHILADELPHIA -- The multiple mound meetings were one indicator. The two wild pitches were another. All the signs clearly denoted that Cole Hamels' start against the Mariners was unlike his past eight outings.
Before Mo'ne Davis mania hit Philly on Wednesday night, the Phillies slipped by the Mariners, 4-3, in the afternoon, but it didn't pan out as the anticipated pitcher's duel at Citizens Bank Park.
Hamels, who entered the game riding a season-high eight consecutive quality starts -- during which he had posted a 1.56 ERA -- saw the run come to an end against Seattle, as he lasted just five innings and surrendered three earned runs.
 
Nieves, Hamels lead Phillies past Mariners, 4-3
 
Hamels' counterpart, James Paxton, picked up his first career loss after allowing four runs (one earned) in his four innings. Paxton entered the game with a 1.88 ERA through his first nine Major League starts.
Hamels' wasn't his sharpest in the first three innings, but a solo blast by Kendrys Morales in the second represented the only damage inflicted by Seattle. Marlon Byrd's 72nd RBI of the season tied the game at 1 in the third, but the Mariners finally got to Hamels in the following inning.
Back-to-back singles with one out in the fourth set the table, and an errant throw by third baseman Andres Blanco and Hamels' fourth wild pitch of the season led to two Seattle runs for a 3-1 lead.
But the Phillies struck right back in the bottom half, scoring three runs in a similar fashion. Blanco hit a comebacker to Paxton, and the ball ricocheted off the pitcher's left ankle. Paxton airmailed the ensuing throw to first base to put two runners in scoring position. A passed ball allowed Wil Nieves to score to make it 3-2, and a Ben Revere groundout brought home the tying run. Chase Utley then threw his bat at an offering from Paxton for a bloop single that gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead.
The Philly bullpen then took over from there, with Jake Diekman, Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon combining for four shutout innings and nine strikeouts.
Despite not having his best stuff, Hamels improved his record to 7-6 to claim sole possession of the team lead in wins.
Erik Bacharach / MLB.com
 

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