NEWS SPORT: MLB scores: Cole Hamels shuts down Mets amid trade rumors

Cole Hamels pitched every bit like an ace on Tuesday with eight scoreless innings and eight strikeouts against the Mets, just two days before baseball's non-waiver trade deadline.

The Philadelphia Phillies' asking price for starting pitcher Cole Hamels is said to be ridiculously high heading into Thursday afternoon's non-waiver trade deadline, and the left-hander showed why with a gem on Tuesday night. Hamels struck out eight batters in eight scoreless innings in a 6-0 shutout of the New York Mets at Citi Field.

Hamels improved to 6-5 with the win and since the beginning of June is 5-2 with a 1.58 ERA in 12 starts, with 89 strikeouts and 24 walks in 85⅔ innings during that span.

The 30-year-old southpaw is due roughly $7.5 million for the remainder of 2014, plus $90 million for 2015-18 and at least a $6 million buyout of his 2019 vesting club option. Whether Tuesday night was his final start with the Phillies won't be known for a few days, but if it was Hamels went out on quite a high note.

There can only be one

Former Los Angeles Angels closer Troy Percival, from nearby Moreno Valley High School and who pitched for UC Riverside from 1987-90, was named head baseball coach at UCR on Tuesday.

I'm excited to announce our new @UCR_Baseball Coach, Troy Percival!! #ThisIsRHouse http://ift.tt/1tsaDf8

— Jim Wooldridge (@UCR_AD) July 29, 2014

Grand Chase

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley hit a grand slam in the seventh inning against Josh Edgin to support Hamels and break open a close game against the Mets, improving his already gaudy career numbers with the bases loaded.