Moyer Wins 6th Game, Phillies Rebound on Tigers, Move Within 2 of NL East Lead
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Phillies veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer tossed a 7 inning 4 hitter giving up 2 runs besting rookie Tigers lefthander Andrew Miller as the Phils scored single runs in the first, third, fifth, sixth through eighth innings for a 6-3 win.
The Phils moved back within 2 games of the NL East leading Mets and stayed 1/2 game behind the 2nd place Atlanta Braves as the Mets and Tom Glavine were roughed up and beaten 11-8 by the Yankees while the Braves beat Cleveland by a 6-2 score.
The first 4 runs of the game came on 4 solo blasts, 2 each by both teams.
The Phils got on the board first on rightfielder Shane Victorino’s leftfield homer, his 7th — a career high, in the 1st inning. The Tigers then got homers from shortstop Carlos Guillen, also to leftfield, in the 2nd and from centerfielder Curtis Granderson, a blast to rightfield, in the 3rd inning. But Phils centerfielder Aaron Rowand tied the game in the 3rd with his 10th homer, a rightfield shot.
Then, in the 5th inning, Rowand put the Phils in the lead for good at 3-2 with an RBI single to centerfield.
The Phils built onto the lead off of young lefthander Miller as 2nd baseman Chase Utley drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to leftfield in the 6th inning, Miller’s last inning of work. Miller, who was charged with the loss, gave up 4 runs on 7 hits, walked 3 and struck out 6.
AP Sports Writer Rob Maaddi reports Detroit manager Leyland’s comments on Miller for Yahoo sports;
“He’s just a baby,” manager Jim Leyland said. “He threw the ball good. I was impressed.”
The Phils put icing on the cake in the 7th and 8th innings off of Detroit’s bullpen on RBI doubles by catcher Carlos Ruiz and 1st baseman Ryan Howard.
The main story of this game however was Moyer’s 7 inning performance.
AP’s Rob Maaddi observes;
Moyer (6-5) allowed four hits in to earn his 222nd career win, tying Jerry Koosman for 15th on the career list for left-handers. Moyer relied on slow stuff as usual, mixing a fastball in the low 80s with a variety of breaking pitches to keep Detroit’s potent offense off balance.
“He absolutely amazes me,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “For him to be 44 years old and to be going strong, that’s tremendous. He’s a great teammate, a true professional and a great pitcher.”
Outside of the 2 Tiger solo homers, Moyer was never in any difficulty.
Only 2 other Tigers reached base on him, in the 1st and 4th innings, and he issued no walks.
For the scores, boxscores and recaps on this and all of Saturday’s games, click here.
On Sunday, Adam Eaton opposes Justin Verlander who pitched a complete game No-Hit 4-0 shutout of the Milwaukee Brewers in his last start last Tuesday. The Phillies hope to dent Verlander and to take two of three from the Tigers.
The Phillies next head for Cleveland for 3 games beginning on Monday. Cole Hamels goes for his 10th win in the opener vs Cliff Lee in another battle of lefties.
For the scores, boxscores and recaps on this and all of Sunday’s games, click here.
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