Masterful Complete Game for Myers, Utley, Burrell Homer, Phillies Beat Cubs…
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Brett Myers (12-6) put on a masterful 12 strikeout performance in pitching first complete game in 13 months while 2nd baseman Chase Utley (29 HRs, 92 RBIs, .300 BA) and leftfielder Pat Burrell (26 HRs, 90 RBIs) each homered as the Phillies beat Chicago by a 6-2 score, taking 2 of 3 games from the Cubs.
In winning, the Phils moved into a tie for the NL wild card lead with the L.A. Dodgers, as the Dodgers lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates by a 6-4 score. San Diego, in first place in the NL West ahead of the Dodgers by 1/2 game, also lost to Arizona by an 8-2 score.
As reported on this blog on Monday, The Phillies won a coin toss to be host of a one-game playoff against the Dodgers or San Diego Padres if they ended tied for the wild-card spot.
The Cubs jumped out to a short-lived 1-0 lead in the 4th inning as
1st baseman Scott Moore (2 HRs, 4 RBIs, .263 BA) hit an RBI single.
In the bottom of the 4th, after walks to rightfielder Jeff Conine (10 HRs, 61 RBIs, .263 BA) and Pat Burrell with none out, catcher Mike Lieberthal (9 HRs, 35 RBIs, .279 BA) followed by doubling to left driving in Conine as Burrell went into 3rd base. 3rd baseman Abraham Nunez 2 HRs, 28 RBIs) followed with an RBI single scoring Burrell — still none out. Cubs starting and losing pitcher Les Walrond (0-1)was pulled at that point and relieved by Michael Wuertz (3-1, 2.83) who retired the side.
In the 5th inning, the Phils scored their 3rd run as 1st baseman Ryan Howard doubled with 1 out, as fans continue to chant “MVP”, and scored on Burrell’s RBI single off of Cubs reliever Jae Kuk Ryu (0-0). 3-1 Phillies.
In the 6th inning, after shortstop Jimmy Rollins (22 HRs, 73 RBIs, .275 BA) hit a lead-off double, Utley clubbed a 2 run homer to rightfield off of Ryu to widen the Phils lead to 5-1.
Burrell capped the Phils scoring with a 1 out solo shot to centerfield off of reliever Roberto Novoa (2-1).
The Cubs scored their 2nd and final run in 8th inning as 2nd baseman Freddie Bynum (3 HRs, 9 RBIs), who had tripled to deep center, scored on 3rd baseman Aramis Ramirez’ (35 HRs, 111 RBIs, .291 BA) groundout to shortstop.
Yahoo’s Game recap reported;
Brett Myers’ power pitching was the perfect complement to Jamie Moyer’s crafty style and boosted the Phillies into a tie for the NL wild-card lead.
The Phillies (79-73) won for the seventh time in nine games and pulled even when Los Angeles lost to Pittsburgh 6-4 a few hours later. It’s the first time this year Philadelphia has held a share of the wild-card lead,
Manager Charlie Manuel likes having Myers pitch behind Moyer.
“They have two different styles. It doesn’t matter how you do it as long as you get the job done,” he said.
Walrond allowed two runs and three hits, striking out six in three-plus innings in his second career start. His start was the 73rd by a rookie pitcher for the Cubs this season.
Myers recorded his eighth career double-digit strikeout game, third this season.
For a full recap including box scores and play-by-play on Wednesday’s game click here.
The Phillies have the day off on Thursday before hosting the Florida Marlins for a 3 game series through Sunday. On Friday, excellent rookie lefthander Cole Hamels (8-8) goes for the Phillies vs Marlins rookie Rickie Nolasco (11-9). On Saturday, Jon Lieber (8-10) goes for the Phils vs Brian Moehler (7-9) for the Marlins and in Sunday’s get-away game, lefthander Jamie Moyer (9-14) goes for the Phils vs Florida’s 2nd year lefthander Scott Olsen (12-8, 3.87 ERA).
The Phillies hope to come out of this weekend in sole possession of 1st place in the NL wild card chase.
Let me take this opportunity to wish my Jewish brethren viewing this blog regularly a L’Shana Tova. May we all only know happiness, fulfillment and unity in this year and in all years to come.
For full coverage of all of Thursday’s through Sunday’s games in both leagues; previews, recaps, box scores and play-by-play coverage click here, here, here and here.
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