Odubel Herrera’s contributions will forever be linked to Cole Hamels’ first — and quite possibly last — no-hitter with the Philadelphia Phillies, a 5-0 win over the host Chicago Cubs. Herrera took a couple circuitous routes to balls, one using that he ran down in the eighth inning, and he ended the game by going back as fast as he could and overrunning the final out of the game, only to come back and dive in front of him for the game-ending catch.

On both plays, Herrera dove and kicked up a lot of dust. Hamels called them great plays and, in his mind, they were but they were also plays that should have been routine.

The Phillies might have stumbled upon something special with Herrera, a life-long second baseman who was forced into the outfield because of the presence of both Chase Utley and Cesar Hernandez. The experience in the outfield will serve both the Phillies and Herrera well because it will make him a more valuable utility guy as the Phillies move along in their rebuilding process.

Herrera was a Rule 5 guy the Phillies picked up in the offseason from the Texas Rangers, and by doing so they had to keep him on the 25-man roster or return him to the Rangers. Since they decided to keep him, they thought it wise to play him and Herrera has rewarded the wisdom. He’s hitting .274 with four homers and 25 RBI which is not bad for a guy who never played above the Double-A level before. His 24 doubles are a team high.

Now he will be forever linked to Phillies history and the team has to hope it’s just the first chapter of a very long and interesting read.

Mike Gibson is a MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.