Howard’s 2 HRs, Moyer Lead Phillies Past Cardinals
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Phillies 1st baseman Ryan Howard went yard twice for his MLB leading 26th and 27th HRs and lefthander, veteran 45 year old Jamie Moyer went 7 solid innings outpitching Braden Looper as the Phillies took 2 of 3 games topping the Cardinals on Thursday by a 4-1 score.
With the win, the NL East leading Phillies remained 1 1/2 games up over both the Florida Marlins and Mets who are tied for 2nd place and who both won. 4th place Atlanta, who had a day off on Thursday, dropped to 6 1/2 games off of the pace.
Howard got the Phils on the board in the first inning with 2 out, solving Looper for a 2 run shot to left centerfield. They added a 3rd run in the third inning on doubles by shortstop Jimmy Rollins and 2nd baseman Chase Utley as Moyer cruised through the first three innings.
The Cardinals broke through on Moyer for their only run in the fourth as 3rd baseman Troy Glaus stroked a 1 out double to centerfield and scored on catcher Yadier Molina’s 2 out RBI single to center.
Howard restored the Phillies’ 3 run lead in the sixth with a lead-off homer to leftfield for his MLB-leading 27th round-tripper and 2nd of the game off of Looper. Howard’s 3 RBIs gave him an NL leading 83 RBis for the season through 93 games.
AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston notes Howard’s recent hitting surge for Yahoo sports;
Howard was batting in the .160s in early May, was at .215 coming into this month and was upset after hearing some mild boos from the finicky fans. But the former MVP is hitting .353 (18-for-51) with eight homers and 18 RBIs over a 13-game hitting streak that’s lifted his average to .234. He’s heard nothing but wild cheers after every deep home run.
“Find somebody that’s produced more runs than him,” Manuel said. “I think that’s kind of hard to do. Who tops that? What’s the name of the game? To produce runs.”
Howard’s homers were enough run support for 45-year-old Jamie Moyer (8-6), who won for the first time since June 12.
Looper left for a pinch hitter after six full innings giving up 4 runs, 3 of them on Howard’s 2 homers, on 7 hits while walking one and striking out 2.
Moyer got stronger as the game progressed and gave the Phils seven quality innings throwing 102 pitches and giving up the lone run on 7 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4 while being aided by 3 doubleplays to gain his 8th win of the season vs 6 losses.
The bullpens took over and there was no further scoring as reliever Ryan Madson went 1 1/3 innings allowing 2 runners to reach on a single and a J.C. Romero finished up getting the final 2 outs on 10 pitches to record his 1st save of the season.
AP’s Gelston also notes;
The Phillies sent LHP J.A. Happ to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Happ started Wednesday night’s game, but was not needed to pitch again before the All-Star break. Happ might not return after the break if the Phillies believe RHP Brett Myers is set to return to the rotation. Myers, their opening-day starter, pitches for Double-A Reading on Saturday and likely will make at least more minor league start after that.
Gregg Dobbs’ pinch single in the seventh gave him 18 already this season— the most on the Phillies since Dave Philley had 18 in 1958.
Phillies Nation’s Tim Malcolm writes on Happs’ AAA optioning;
Don’t worry, guys. It’s more than likely Happ was sent back down to get a couple starts in. According to Charlie Manuel, Happ wouldn’t get another turn until July 22 or 23. It’s probably better that Happ gets some work in and not sit on the bullpen pine.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Thursday’s games, click here.
The Arizona Diamondbacks follow the Cards in to play a weekend series before the All Star break. With the red-hot Mets riding a 6 game winning streak and hosting the NL West 4th place Colorado Rockies for 3 games before the All Star break, the Diamondbacks become a must-sweep for the Phillies in order to at least maintain their 1 1/2 game lead, if not more. In Friday’s opener, Kyle Kendrick aims for his 9th win vs 32 year old Doug Davis.
For the scores, boxscores and recaps on Friday’s and Saturday’s games, click here and here.
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