BALTIMORE – Cole Hamels could have easily dismissed the results, attributing the lackluster numbers in his Atlanta Braves debut to rustiness after an unaccustomed layoff.
Instead, the 36-year-old left-hander deemed his performance to be well below his own high expectations.
Pitching for the first time since last September, Hamels allowed three runs to the Baltimore Orioles before reaching his predetermined pitch count in the fourth inning of a 5-1 loss Wednesday night.
“It’s just, for me it’s unacceptable. I’ve got to be better,” Hamels said.
Hamels signed a one-year contract with Atlanta in December and was expected to be a major contributor in the rotation. He arrived at spring training with a sore shoulder, though, and developed triceps tendinitis during summer camp before being placed on the 45-day injured list on the eve of the season opener.