The same storyline that accompanied Cole Hamels to the mound 10 days ago was attached at his hip again Monday night.
The left-hander needed to have a strong start to help the Texas Rangers in their efforts to trade him before the July 31 deadline.
Plus, there was this little wrinkle: It could be the last time Hamels pitches at Globe Life Park in a Rangers uniform.
Club brass was rooting for him to be great against the Oakland A’s, not that they wouldn’t have if he wasn’t on the trading block.