ARLINGTON, Texas _ Left-hander Cole Hamels did not have any physical problems that contributed to his poor performance over the final six weeks of the season, Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister said on Tuesday.
Hamels went 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA for his final six regular-season starts. He had the second-highest ERA in the American League during that span, which began on Aug. 30. Kansas City right-hander Edinson Volquez was 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA.
Hamels also allowed seven runs in 31/3 innings during a loss in the opener of an AL Division Series against Toronto.
Hamels reached 200 innings for the seventh consecutive season. Banister did not see that having an effect on Hamels' performance.
"He just ran into a few situations where he didn't execute to his caliber," Banister said. "The preparation was there. The emotional side of it was there. The mental toughness was there. It was just the inability to string some executed pitches.
"He has very high standards. I'm sure he's had stretches like this where he had hiccups."
Hamels declined to comment after the Rangers' Game 3 loss at Toronto on Sunday. He did not appear during the open-clubhouse period on Tuesday.
Hamels is 3-5 with a 4.45 ERA for his last 10 postseason starts. That includes going 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in three postseason starts with the Rangers.
