June 07--WASHINGTON -- All-Star selections are four weeks away, but Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon started his campaign for Jason Hammel.
"Hammel was outstanding," Maddon marveled after Hammel pitched eight innings Saturday and allowed two earned runs or fewer for the third time this season. "You talk about pitching at an All-Star level, he has.
Maddon raved about Hammel's ability throw strikes throughout his first 11 starts, although he did walk two in a 4-2 win over the Nationals.
"I wanted to put it out there," Maddon continued. "I really think he has to be considered based on his performances have been that good.''
Hammel improved to 5-2 this season while lowering his ERA to 2.76. Hammel has struck out 76 and walked nine in 75 innings. He also improved to 9-0 lifetime in 11 starts against the Nationals.
"He's just pitching at another level," said Maddon, who remembered when Hammel struggled to keep his delivery in line with home plate during their three seasons together (2006-08) with the Rays.
Hammel, 32, wasn't about to elaborate on the possibility of making his first All-Star team.
"I'm going to leave that along," Hammel said. "Honestly, it would be an honor. I'm not thinking about that. I just want to be consistent. That's our job. There are guys here definitely worthy. If it happens, it happens. I'd feel really good, but we still got a ways to go."
The Cubs treated Hammel as if he made the All-Star team as part of their traditional post-victory celebration by dousing him with several substances that included amino power.
Hammel knew the power was part of the substances because it made him feel itchy.
"When you do those mosh pits, they bring everything to the table," said Hammel, whose gray and blue undershirt was colored with white and red. "It felt itchy and sticky.''
