Myers, Utley Lead Phillies Past Nationals
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Phillies starter Brett Myers had velocity and fine placement on his fastball, consistently got ahead early in the counts by throwing strikes and stayed ahead forcing 10 groundballs. 2nd baseman Chase Utley’s 2 out, 2 run homer in the third inning off of Nationals’ rookie Collin Balester provided all the offense that the Phils needed to edge Washington by a 2-1 score.
The Phillies remained in 2nd place, 1/2 game behind the NL East leading Mets who won on Tuesday after losing on Monday to the Florida Marlins. The Marlins are 2 games behind in 3rd place. The 4th place Braves dropped to 8 1/2 games behind with their loss Tuesday to the St. Louis Cardinals.
After Balester retired Myers on a ground ball to 2nd base to lead off the third inning, shortstop Jimmy Rollins singled to left centerfield. After centerfielder Shane Victorino flied out, Utley drove a 1-0 pitch from Balester out to rightfield for his 26th homer, his first since July 7, a 14-game, 58-at-bat homerless string.
Myers and the Phillies bullpen handled the rest. Myers finished seven shutout innings to socre his 4th win of the season, and was only scored upon in the eighth as a result of a single and Utley’s error on a fielder’s choice play. After Myers left for reliever J.C. Romero, a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to 2nd and 3rd followed by a run scoring on a ground out. Chad Durbin replaced Romero to retire the side on another ground out. Myers threw 88 pitches, 63 for strikes giving up 1 run on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2. Closer Brad Lidge topssed a clean ninth inning and got credit for his 25th save in 25 attempts.
AP sports writer Howard Fendwich provides reactions and impressions of Myers’ performance for Yahoo sports;
It was his second start since being demoted to the minors to try to revive his confidence and shake a season-long funk.
And his first win since May 30, only his second win in 15 outings.
“Brett pitched outstanding,” Utley said. “He was throwing strikes early in the count and getting ahead of guys.”
“Tonight,” Myers said, “was fun for me.”
Rollins and Utley were the only runners to pass 2nd base against Balester and the Nationals bullpen. Leftfielder Pat Burrell singled in the second inning and then reached 2nd on a flubbed fielder’s choice play by 2nd baseman Ronnie Belliard.
As good as Myers was, losing pitcher Balester was nearly as good, only being scored upon on Utley’s 2 run homer. Balester went six innings throwing 93 and allowing only 6 hits while striking out 5 and issuing no walks. The Nationals bullpen held the Phillies to two harmless 2 out singles over the last three innings.
Recently, there have been reports that Chase Utley has been trying to work through hip problems. AP’s Fendwich reports;
Before the game, Manuel was asked if he thought Utley looked healthy. Maybe Utley’s hip was bothering him? Maybe some other ailment?
Nope, Manuel assured everyone. Sometimes the homers don’t come. And sometimes they do.
A few hours later, Utley provided an important one for the Phillies, who remained a half-game behind the Mets in the NL East.
“I never really felt that bad. Obviously when you don’t get results, it’s frustrating, but you have to stick with it,” said Utley, who pronounced himself healthy.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Monday’s and Tuesday’s games, click here and here.
Wednesday’s game 2 features veteran 45 year old southpaw Jamie Moyer opposing Tim Redding. Thursday’s final pits young Kyle Kendrick against 2nd year lefthander John Lannan.
The Phillies begin August with 3 games against the St. Louis Cardinals before another day off on Monday, August 4, before returning home for 3 games against the Florida Marlins followed by 3 games vs the Pittsburgh Pirates.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Wednesday’s games, click here.
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