May 25--The second half is 7 1/2 weeks away, but Jason Hammel is starting to feel better about his post-All-Star game prospects.
Despite not feeling as sharp as past starts, Hammel improved to 6-1 by pitching a season-high 7 1/3 innings and blanking the Cardinals through the first seven innings of a 12-3 win.
"It's sustainable," manager Joe Maddon said after Hammel lowered his ERA to 2.17.
Maddon thought Hammel was on target to pitch a complete game until the eighth. Nevertheless, Hammel has now beaten the Cardinals in three consecutive starts at Busch Stadium.
"It's important for us and for him, psychologically, to do that. They know that he can. All those are factors."
Hammel's success against the Cardinals is important with four regular season series left.
"In the past I haven't been that good against them," said Hammel, who improved to 4-3 lifetime against the Cardinals. "I've made a conscious effort this year, obviously, to be good against everybody. I want to make my execution better. That just doesn't go against the Cardinals or Pirates."
With the trade deadline slightly more than two months away and the Cubs likely to be heavily involved in the scouring of pitching help, Hammel wants to provide some comfort for team executives.
"In order for us to be good, and as a staff, we want to be that backbone," Hammel said. "And I'm one of those guys. I want to be the guy who hands the baton to the next guy. And we have five guys who can do that. Just keep rolling with it."
