» Howard’s Multi-Homer Game Powers Phillies Rout of Florida

Howard’s Multi-Homer Game Powers Phillies Rout of Florida

The Phillies got 3 homers, 2 by 1st baseman Ryan Howard (31st and 32nd HRs), pounded losing Marlins’ starter Rick VandenHurk for 6 runs in 2 1/3 innings, capitalized a Florida error and 7 walks issued by Florida pitchers and saw veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer and young J.D. Durbin combine to hold Florida to 1 run on 8 hits as they rolled to an 11-1 victory. Moyer won his 10th game of the season against 8 losses and Durbin was credited with his first major league save.

With the win, the Phillies picked up a game on the NL East 1st place Mets who lost to the 2nd place Atlanta Braves by a 7-3 score. The Braves finally solved Mets’ lefthander Oliver Perez who had beaten them 3 previous times, the only 3 losses the Braves have suffered to the Mets this season. The Philllies now trail the Mets by 4 games and the Braves by 1/2 game.

The Marlins got on the scoreboard first as shortstop Hanley Ramirez led-off the game against Moyer with his 20th homer of the season to leftfield. It would be the only Marlins’ run of the game. The 44-year-old left-hander got out of a 1st inning jam without further damage despite 2 walks and a single. The Marlins then went scoreless on Moyer in the 2nd inning despite 3 singles.

The Phillies tied the score in the bottom of the 1st inning as shortstop Jimmy Rollins scored on Ryan Howard’s fielder’s choice grounder.

Moyer settled down to retired 13 straight batters beginning with the final 2 outs in the 2nd inning through the first 2 outs in the 6th and won his third straight decision. Moyer improved to 6-0 in six career starts against Florida.

AP Sports Writer Rob Maaddi outlines the Phillies scoring for Yahoo sports;

A five-run third-inning against Rick VandenHurk (3-3) put Philadelphia ahead 6-1.

[Jayson] Werth started the scoring with an RBI single to right field. Carlos Ruiz singled in a run, Abraham Nunez had an RBI double and VandenHurk balked one home to make it 5-1.

Moyer then slapped a double over a drawn-in infield down the left-field line to drive in Nunez, giving the Phillies a 6-1 lead.

“From the start of the game, I didn’t have my control,” VandenHurk said. “That inning, I got behind in the count and they hit it good. The next thing I know, I had (thrown) a lot of pitches and we’re behind by 6-1 and that was it.”

VandenHurk gave up six runs, five hits and walked five in 2 1-3 innings.

Howard hit a 431-foot shot to left-center in the fourth off Carlos Martinez, and Aaron Rowand followed with his 17th homer of the season.

Howard connected for his 32nd homer against Mauro Zarate in the sixth. The reigning NL MVP finished the game first in the NL with 93 RBIs and second in homers, even though he spent time on the disabled list earlier this year.

“I’m just trying to be consistent,” Howard said.

The Phillies are 7-4 since losing All-Star second baseman Chase Utley to a hand injury.

Moyer, who threw 92 pitches through 6 innings, was replaced to begin the 7th by reliever J.D. Durbin who kept the Marlins off of the board over the final three innings spreading out 3 hits and a walk while striking out 2.

Chris Roberson, who replaced Rowand in centerfield late in the game, robbed 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera of extra bases and surely saved Durbin from being scored upon in the 8th inning with a great, diving catch on a hard liner to right-center. Catcher Miguel Olivo, hitting after Cabrera, singled to left for what could well have been an RBI if not for Roberson’s catch. Durbin got the 2nd out before issuing a walk and then retiring the side.

The Marlins left 10 runners stranded while the Phils left 8 on base.

For the scores, boxscores on this and all of Tuesday’s games, click here.

In Wednesday’s game two, recently obtained Kyle Lohse faces struggling lefthander Dontrelle Willis. In the series finale on Thursday, rookie Kyle Kendrick goes for his 6th win against Sergio Mitre.

For the scores, boxscores on all of Wednesday’s games, click here.