Veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer gave up a leadoff homer to 2nd baseman  Kelly Johnson and 3rd baseman Chipper Jones doubled and then scored on 2nd baseman Chase Utley’s fielding error on a ground ball and Phillies found themselves down 2-0 after one.  23 year old Jair Jurrjens and 4 Braves relievers held the Phils scoreless on 6 hits in a 4-0 shutout.

The Phils offense was ugly once again as winning pitcher Jurrjens was nowhere as dominant as Derek Lowe was in the opener.  Jurrjens gave up the 4 hits as well as walking 3 in 5 2/3 innings and Braves relievers gave up 2 more hits and walked 1 as the Phils left stranded all 11 runners who reached, 4 of them left on with 2 outs.

After homering to lead off the game, Johnson’s RBI single through the middle in the 4th inning knocked in the Braves 3rd run and Chipper Jones homered to lead off the 5th to cap the Braves scoring.

Whereas manager Charlie Manuel hit rightfielder Jayson Werth in the 2nd slot in the order and Shane Victorino in the 6th slot on Opening day, he returned to what would be a normal lineup with Victorino hitting 2nd, Werth hitting 5th and leftfielder Raul Ibanez in the 6th slot, it was to no avail.  Utley and first baseman Ryan Howard each got 2 hits, Ibanez doubled in 4 appearances but the Phils again could push home no runs.

Moyer didn’t pitch badly in a losing cause giving up 4 runs on 8 hits while walking and striking out 2 each, the Phils just couldn’t plate runs.  Chan Ho Park, who will make his first start against against the Rockies on Sunday, was sent in to work the 6th inning.  Park, lefthanded reliever Jack Taschner and Clay Condrey finished out the game in perfect style — 12 up, 12 down.

For all of the results of Monday’s and Tuesday games, click here and here.

The Phillies and Braves close out the series on Wednesday as the Phillies receive their World Series rings in a ceremony before the game.  Joe Blanton is opposed by 32 year old Javier Vazquez as the Phils hope that the World Series gold on their pinkies lifts the offense and that they avoid a Braves sweep.  

The Phils have Thursday off as a travel day and open their series with the  Colorado Rockies on Friday with ace lefthandler Cole Hamels opposing  Jason Marquis.  On Saturday, Brett Myers seeks to even his record going against 29 year old lefthander Jorge De La Rosa.

For all of Wednesday’s and Thursday’s games, click here and here.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 at 11:18 pm and is filed under Real-Time Baseball News and Commentary
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