One day after beleaguered Phillies’ pitcher Brett Myers gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings, including three home runs, ace Cole Hamels threw his first ever complete game shut out tonight against the Atlanta Braves. The Phillies improved to 5-1 in games started by Hamels following a loss. That is the definition of a pitching ace.

Tonight Hamels proved the point I have been trying to make all season. Brett Myers is not the number one guy in the Phillies’ pitching rotation. Cole Hamels is. Hamels gave up just four hits and one walk to improve to 5-3 on the season. Of Hamels 123 pitches, 86 were strikes, including 23 first pitch strikes.

One day removed from a dismal outing that saw the Braves jump out to a 2-0 lead on just four pitches, Hamels doused any hopes Atlanta may have had of repeating that feat tonight. After Omar Infante, playing for Chipper Jones, singled with one out in the first, Hamels retired the next 15 batters in a row, and 19 of the next 20. Only one Brave made it past first base the entire night, which came on a Brian McCann double in the seventh.

This is the kind of outing you expect from your ace.

Note: Keep an eye on Phillies slugger Ryan Howard, as he could be starting to turn things around at the plate. The former Rookie of the Year and NL MVP has hit two home runs in his last two games…Stay tuned.