Moyer, Dobbs Clutch, But Phillies Split with Mets
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45 year old lefthander Jamie Moyer was superb for seven innings giving up only 2 hits in the make up of Saturday’s rained out game. The Phillies got to Pedro Martinez early and stayed on him for 6 runs, including 3rd baseman Greg Dobbs’ 2nd homer in 2 games to win the opener by a 6-2 score.
In game 2, the Mets, led by two titanic clouts by 1st baseman Carlos Delgado who went 3 for 4 with 4 RBIs, turned tables on Cole Hamels. Johan Santana went 7 1/3 innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits as the offense went into snooze mode as the Mets salvaged a doubleheader split and survived a possible series sweep by a 6-3 score.
By splitting the doubleheader, the Phillies remained 2 games behind the NL East division leading Mets. The 3rd place Marlins remained 8 games behind despite losing both of their weekend games to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Braves lost both of their weekend games to Washington and are now 18 1/2 games behind.
In Sunday’s doubleheader opener, Moyer was masterful going 7 innings. Despite 3 walks, he only gave up 2 hits as the Phils scraped together 2 runs in the second inning and then Dobbs pounded a 3 run homer in the fourth inning following a lead-off double to centerfield by 1st baseman Ryan Howard and a single to leftfield by Jayson Werth. Catcher Carlos Ruiz poked a 1 out double later in the inning and scored on after a ground out.
Reliever Scott Eyre replaced Moyer to pitch the eighth and gave up 2 runs on 3 hits. Relievers Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero nailed down the win in the ninth. Romero got pinch hitter Daniel Murphy to ground into a game-ending doubleplay.
AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick provides details on Moyer’s effort for Yahoo sports;
The 45-year-old Moyer (13-7) allowed only a surprise bunt single by Robinson Cancel and an infield hit by [Damion] Easley. New York was scoreless for the first 16 innings of the series before breaking through for two runs in the eighth against Scott Eyre.
Moyer’s 243rd win tied him with Hall of Famer Juan Marichal for 50th on the career list.
Martinez (5-4) lasted only four innings, giving up six runs and seven hits.
In the nightcap, despite Ryan Howard’s 2 hits, including his MLB-leading 40th homer and 120th and 121st RBIs of the season, Cole Hamels was pounded for 3 runs in the first inning, including the first 2 of 4 RBIs by Carlos Delgado. Delgado later pounded 2 monsterous solo homers in the third and fifth innings for the bulk of the Mets’ scoring.
Howard’s MLB leading 40th homer of the season makes him the first hitter in Phillies history to have hit 40 or more homers in 3 straight seasons. He is also first Phillies’ hitter to string together 3 seasons of 120 RBIs since Hall of Famer Chuck Klein did it in five straight seasons between 1929-33.
The Phils offense, outside of Howard, took a snooze against Santana and were never a real factor in the game. To follow the play-by-play, click here. They did score a run in the ninth after centerfielder Shane Victorino bunt singled to lead off the inning and took 2nd base on catcher Brian Schneider’s throwing error. Victorino went to 3rd base on an infield single by pinch hitter newly acquired Matt Stairs. Stairs, by the way was replaced by newly acquired Phillies returnee Tadahito Iguchi. Victorino scored on a sacrifice fly after which shortstop Jimmy Rollins ended the game by striking out.
AP’s Mike Fitzpatrick realls last season;
The Phillies swept a three-game series at Shea Stadium last September, beginning their charge past the fading Mets to win the division title. But Philadelphia couldn’t complete the trick this time.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Saturday’s and Sunday’s games, click here and here.
The Phillies return home for a 7 game stand; 3 games with Florida beginning Monday followed by 4 games against the Milwaukee Brewers. Joe Blanton opposes Anibal Sanchez for Florida in the series opener.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Monday’s games, click here.
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