Phillies Notes: Ross has Hamels' number, too
SAN FRANCISCO - As if Cody Ross needed any further help. In the first two games of the National League Championship Series, Ross has three home runs. Against Cole Hamels, the Phillies' starter in Game 3, Ross is 9 for 30 in his career with four home runs - the most against any opposing pitcher Ross has faced.
SAN FRANCISCO - As if Cody Ross needed any further help.
In the first two games of the National League Championship Series, Ross has three home runs. Against Cole Hamels, the Phillies' starter in Game 3, Ross is 9 for 30 in his career with four home runs - the most against any opposing pitcher Ross has faced.
"I guess I'm almost happy that he left the Marlins," Hamels said, "because I don't have to face him as much."
Ross tagged both Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt. Hamels, in a comical mood Monday, figures he can't do much worse.
"I guess I'll just throw them right down the middle," Hamels said. "I know he can't do it all the time. But, no, he's a great competitor. He definitely swings a really good bat."
The Phillies knew that before the NLCS began. Ross has 16 home runs lifetime against the Phillies, more than any other team. Atlanta is next with nine.
Manager Charlie Manuel was praiseworthy of Ross, a player he has come to know from his time in the National League East.
Ross moved from the eight hole in the Giants' lineup to sixth in Game 2 and could move even higher for Game 3.
"He enjoys to play against us," Manuel said. "And that helps him to relax, and he gets up for us. But not only that, he's a good player. And he definitely can hurt you. And he's strong for a little guy, and he will surprise you."
No chair jokes
Ryan Madson returned to the scene of his chair-kicking incident in late April that resulted in him breaking his right big toe. The reliever missed two months with the injury and was embarrassed by the whole situation.
On Monday, as he sat in one of the clubhouse chairs, it still isn't a joking matter.
"Nobody's even said anything about it," Madson said.
Extra bases
The last National League Championship Series game played at AT&T Park was Oct. 14, 2002, when the Giants played St. Louis. (Actually, the stadium was called Pacific Bell Park then.) Kenny Lofton singled off Cardinals reliever Steve Kline in the bottom of the ninth of Game 5 to win the pennant for the Giants. . . . After winning Game 2, the Phillies boarded a swank charter jet. They did not arrive at their San Francisco hotel until 5 a.m. local time Monday.