Preview Phillies at Mets: Game 58

In this series each team has played their ace. The Mets won because of their ace. The Phillies won despite their ace. Tonight, each team will play a wild card on the mound.

Jamie Moyer has played well lately, and has shown improvement on the mound, but he has done so against below-average competition.

If Phillies’ fans are to feel comfortable again with Moyer, he will have to give a solid outing tonight against the Mets, who have been hitting in bunches against Phillies pitching this series.

In Moyer’s last game against the Mets he lasted just 2.1 innings, allowing seven earned runs to cross the plate. Three of the seven hits allowed were home runs.

Moyer took a no-decision in his last game in Los Angeles. The Phillies lost, but Moyer went seven innings and allowed just two runs on four hits.

The Mets will counter with Tim Redding. Redding has struggled this season, though he has only pitched in four games. Redding’s only start at Citi Field was a disaster as the Florida Marlins torched him for seven runs on eight hits in just four innings of work.

Lifetime against the Phillies, Redding is 5-3 in eleven starts. You can categorize Redding with the rest of the traditional “Philly Killers,” but the Phillies will look to get their offense going.

Chase Utley has hit three home runs in this series. The Phillies bullpen out-dueled the Mets bullpen last night. For the Mets, closer Francisco Rodriguez pitched two innings last night, and pitched the ninth inning the night before.

The Phillies are now 22-9 on the road after last night’s extra-inning win.

Phillies record: 34-23
Mets record: 31-26

NL East Standings (Team, record, games behind)

1. PHILLIES 34-23,
2. Mets 31-26, 3.0
3. Braves 29-29, 5.5
4. Marlins 29-32, 7.0
5. Nationals 15-42, 19.0

Pitching probables: Moyer (4-5, 6.27 ERA) vs. Redding (0-2, 6.97 ERA)

TV: Comcast Sportsnet

First pitch: 7:10pm EST

Season series: Mets lead 4-2
5.01 NY METS L 4-7 Preview/Open Thread
5.02 NY METS W 6-5 (10) Open Thread
5.03 NY METS POSTPONED
5.06 @ NY Mets L 0-1 Preview/Open Thread/Recap
5.07 @ NY Mets L 5-7 Preview/Open Thread/Recap
6.09 @ NY Mets L 5-6 Preview/Open Thread/Recap
6.10 @ NY Mets W 5-4 (11) Preview/Open Thread/Recap

Game open thread will be posted at 6:30 p.m. Game recap will be up tomorrow morning.

Philadelphia Phillies Commentary: Raul Ibanez vs. Blogger

Is Raul Ibanez on steroids?

That is the question that many fans have quietly wondered to themselves, hoping that the answer would be negative. The truth is we will never know for sure unless a test is made public. Under the current drug testing policy in baseball, there is no reason to suspect that everybody is clean.

I believe Ibanez to be clean and one of the hardest working players on the Phillies. I believe that Ibanez is a class act and has made himself to be a great role model for kids learning to play the game of baseball.

But in all honesty, I once felt the same way about Alex Rodriguez. The only reason I am discussing this, and I do not plan on expanding on this issue any further after this, is because I feel that this story has immaturely grown wings and gotten to the point where people are unjustly forming opinions that are misguided.

On Jerod Morris, pen named as Jerod, of Midwest Sports Fans posted a well thought out article examining Raul Ibanez’s 2009 season compared to his previous seasons. Morris goes against the typical blogger stereotypes and provides actual research breaking down stadium comparisons and digging in to home run stats and pitchers Ibanez has faced.

Morris never stated that he believe Ibanez was on steroids. Not once. What Morris does do is comment on the state of baseball and the way fans can not have total faith in the purity of the game, regardless of the player. Ibanez just happens to be the stimulus to the conversation.

On June 9, John Gonzalez of the The Philadelphia Inquirer provides his commentary on JRod’s piece and seems to miss the point. Gonzalez goes on to lecture JRod about whether or not he should be discussing the issue of Ibanez and performance enhancers. What Gonzalez fails to realize is that watching silently is how baseball got in to the mess it has become.

Are we just supposed to expect that the game is pure? In this day and age when universities are giving football players free textbooks, cars, or houses and when baseball players continue to state they have never used performance enhancers only to be found out months later, it is totally fine to address your concerns.

JRod did nothing wrong. What Gonzalez did was over the top. Why a big city paper columnist would care about what a blogger from the midwest thinks is beyond me.

Naturally the word got to Ibanez, who vehemently defended himself. From what he came out and said I am not sure that Ibanez actually read the original piece. I understand him being upset about being under scrutiny, but as long as he is clean he has nothing to worry about.

When Ibanez pulls out the cliche 42-year-old man blogging in his mother’s basement though, I have to insert my response.

Bloggers get a bad name, but there are many out there who take their hobby seriously. I will be the first to tell you that my blogging activity is nothing more than a hobby. I receive little monetary returns on this and I do it for my personal enjoyment. I use blogging as a way to connect with people. I, like many quality bloggers, pride myself on being leveled and honest.

Speculation rarely makes an appearance on my sites. I hesitate sometimes to write something because I want to have a clear head on things. This is why my game recaps are always posted the following morning. I don’t want to get carried away with high and low emotions.

For example, I was furious with the Phillies loss on Tuesday to the Mets. While I still don’t understand the lack of negativity from my fellow Phillies bloggers, I feel that posting my post-game thoughts the next day allowed me to look at things in a different light.

Bashing bloggers is easy to do. Main stream media members will point out the fact that bloggers are not legitimate media. I will not argue that, but there was also a time when newspaper reporters did not have blogs.

The real issue here is the state of baseball and the inability for a player to enjoy success without going under the microscope. It will happen for everybody until baseball begins to crack down more and takes everything seriuosly. The issue is not what a blogger thinks.

Phillies-Mets: Chase Utley Carries Philadelphia to Heated Win Over New York

Chase Utley got under the skin of Mets starter Mike Pelfrey.

Utley hit a pair of solo home runs, with his second coming in the top of the 11th inning, and Ryan Madson entered the game with a 5-4 lead to pick up his first save as the official closer. The Phillies pushed their division lead back to three games.

Utley’s performance overshadowed the rather poor outing from ace Cole Hamels. Hamels lasted just five innings and allowed four runs to score on 11 hits. Had the Mets not come up short so often with base runners on, the damage could have been much worse.

While Hamels had a less than stellar outing, the Phillies bullpen picked up the slack and went six innings, shutting out the Mets in the process. The Mets batters collected just five hits off of Phillies relievers, three of them coming off of Chan Ho Park‘s two full innings.

Chad Durbin allowed one hit and walked two. J.C. Romero allowed one hit and one walk. Jack Taschner and Scott Eyre were perfect in their situations.

But the story of the night was clearly Utley. In a park not known for its home runs, Utley hit his second and third of the series. He was the only Phillies player to get more than one hit on the night, and of course two of them left the playing surface.

Jimmy Rollins was 0-for-5, but those numbers may be deceiving, as multiple outs came off of hard hit balls. Shane Victorino, in the second spot of the lineup, went 0-for-4.

Down 4-1, the Phillies used small ball to score three runs to tie the game in the seventh inning. In the process they chased starting pitcher Pelfrey from the game. The Mets squandered opportunities to put the Phillies away in the inning.

Carlos Beltran dropped a deep fly ball to center field, making what seemed like an unnecessary jump for the ball, and the result was that the ball went off his glove. David Wright failed to pick up a ground ball as he went to make a throw home for a force out.

Before you knew it, the game was tied.

In a battle of the bullpens, the Phillies gave up more hits (in two more innings) but allowed zero runs to score. The Mets bullpen allowed just three hits, but Utley’s lead-off home run in the 11th inning off of Bobby Parnell was enough to set up the victory.

The game never would have reached the 11th inning, though, had Jayson Werth not made a fantastic diving catch on Wright’s line drive in the 10th inning. The catch was the third out and had he missed the ball, Fernando Martinez would certainly have scored from first base for the walk-off victory.

For the Phillies it was another come-from-behind victory. This team will play every out, no matter the situation. There is no argument about that. The Mets had many chances to win this game and just could not land the big hit once Hamels was out of the game.

Both games of this series have been tight and worth watching. The series opener may have had more fireworks but for fans of gritty baseball, last night was the game to watch.

Whatever happens tonight, the Phillies will return home with at least a two-game lead in the division. Jamie Moyer will face Tim Redding tonight in the series finale.

Phillies Draft Two Outfielders

Not picking until the 75th pick (they lost their first round pick when signing Raul Ibanez), the Phillies were just looking to add some talent to their minor league system with the 2009 MLB Draft.

On day one, the Phillies picked up a couple of outfielders.

Kelly Dugan is a 6-foot-3 switch-hitting outfielder from California that the Phillies project to be a center fielder.

Dugan is just 18 years old and has a standing offer to play college baseball at Pepperdine University, so the club will wait to see which way he goes on his baseball future. He has already signed his letter of intent and the Phillies have until August 17th to secure his rights, which they feel good about.

Dugan comes from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, which is where former Phillies general manager Pat Gillick attended, according to the L.A. Times. Dugan is apparently very excited to be in the Phillies system and appears ready to get started.

Scout.com says Dugan has signs of power, decent defensive skills and above average speed.

With their second pick on day one, the Phillies picked up Kyrell Hudson out of Evergreen High School in Washington.

Hudson is another 18-year old outfielder who should add some speed. Scouts have compared Hudson’s body type to that of Mike Cameron and Curtis Granderson.

Hudson was recruited by Oregon State and originally committed to play for the Beavers baseball team. He was also thought to be a football prospect as well. The word seems to be that he will go ahead and sign with the Phillies.

Phillies Fail to Capitalize on Homers; Lose to Mets

It is not often that a pitcher of the caliber of the Mets‘ Johan Santana gives up four home runs, especially in the cavernous new digs dubbed Citi Field—a ballpark most notable for its tendency to produce triples rather than home runs.

So when a team sends four to the bleachers off of Santana, it puts itself in a position where it has to win the game. The Phillies failed to do so, losing the three-game series opener by a frustrating 6-5 final.

JA Happ did not have his typical solid game, digging himself a three-run hole by giving up home runs to David Wright and Carlos Beltran in the first three innings.

Happ lasted just 5 1/3 innings, going over 100 pitches much earlier than the Phillies would have wanted. In the process, Happ walked four batters and allowed six hits, two of which were home runs.

Down 0-3 against Santana, many Phillies’ fans assumed the game was over, but the bats came alive in the fourth inning.

Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez hit back-to-back homers to swing the momentum back to the Phillies.

In the sixth, Jimmy Rollins, who had a fantastic night going 3-for-4, hit a two-run home run to give the Phillies a 4-3 lead. But the Mets responded in the bottom of the inning.

Fernando Tatis hit a lead-off double and reached third base on a Carlos Ruiz error attempting to pick him off. The throw went wide and glanced off of Rollins’ glove and into left center field.

Tatis then beat a Howard throw on a fielder’s choice off a Ryan Church grounder. The home plate umpire called Tatis out, thinking that Ruiz blocked the plate. Replays showed that Tatis should have been called safe, tying the game at four.

Despite the blown call, the Mets found a way to keep attacking.

Clay Condrey came out the bullpen with Church at first base and one out. Omir Santos hit a single to right field to put runners at first and second for Santana.

After going to an 0-2 count with two failed bunt attempts, the Mets’ ace smacked a momentum-killing double down the right field line, scoring Church to tie the game and putting two runners in scoring position.

Alex Cora hit a two-out single to give the Mets a 5-4 lead. After Beltran was intentionally walked, Gary Sheffield struck out to end the inning.

Chad Durbin allowed a solo home run in the seventh inning to Church to give the Mets a two-run lead. Chase Utley hit a solo jack in the eighth inning off Santana, who was then taken out of the game and replaced with Pedro Feliciano.

Felciano pitched one perfect inning. Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez then shut down the Phillies lineup in the ninth after a lead off single by Rollins.

With the loss, the Phillies’ lead in the NL East dropped to two games on the Mets. Cole Hamels gets the start against Mike Pelfrey in Wednesday night’s game.

Preview Game 56: Phillies at Mets

Whenever the Phillies face off with New York Mets ace Johann Santana, the general consensus is something along the lines of “Ok, so who do we have tomorrow night?” in anticipation of a loss. Obviously the team does not feel that way, but perhaps there is reason to be optimistic.

Santana may be the best pitcher in the National League. Entering tonight with a record of 7-3 even looks underwhelming. In Santana’s three losses this season he has given up no more than three runs a game. He also received a no-decision in which he allowed just two runs to score. The biggest downfall for Santana has been the lack of offense he receives behind him. Santana also has yet to go past 7.0 innings, but the idea for the Mets is that their bullpen is so improved so their ace would not have to go deeper.

Santana is 3-0 against the Phillies lifetime in seven starts. In his only appearance this season against the Phillies he allowed just two hits and zero runs in seven innings, a game in which he was actually out-pitched by Chan Ho Park. The Phillies defense faltered and handed the Mets a 1-0 win.

The Phillies will counter with JA Happ. Happ enters with a 4-0 record and a 2.48 ERA. Happ actually has a lower WHIP than Santana this season, which includes his outings from the bullpen to start the year. In his last game against the Mets Happ pitched 3.2 innings of scoreless relief. Happ has pitched 5.2 innings against the Mets this year out of the bullpen and has yet to allow a run.

The Philles offense will likely struggle once again tonight against the ace lefty for the Mets. Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Chase Utley are a combined 6 for 55 against Santana. Ryan Howard on the other hand has a career .353 batting average against Santana with two home runs. Raul Ibanez has a career .351 batting average with 13 hits against Santana.

The Phillies enter this series with a three game lead in the division and can leave New York with no less than a tie for the NL East lead.

Phillies record: 33-22
Mets record: 30-25

NL East Standings (Team, Record, Games Behind)

1. PHILLIES 33-22, –
2. Mets 30-25, 3.0
3. Braves 28-28, 5.5
4. Marlins 28-31, 7.0
5. Nationals 15-40, 18.0

Pitching probables: Happ (4-0, 2.48 ERA) vs. Santana (7-3, 2.00 ERA)

TV: MyPhl 17

First pitch: 7:10pm EST

Season series: Mets lead 3-1
5.01 NY METS L 4-7 Preview/Open Thread
5.02 NY METS W 6-5 (10) Open Thread
5.03 NY METS POSTPONED
6.06 @ NY Mets L 0-1 Preview/Open Thread/Recap
6.07 @ NY Mets L 5-7 Preview/Open Thread/Recap

Game open thread will be posted at 6:30 p.m. Game recap will be up tomorrow morning.

Your Former Philadelphia Phillies American League All-Star Squad

While at a Phillies game with the guys from On the DL Podcast last weekend, we were discussing the All-Star ballot. The idea of voting for former Phillies in the American League came up and we all started to analyze the AL ballot to see if it was possible to vote for a former Phillie at each position.

Turns out the idea was not so far-fetched.

 

FIRST BASE – Russell Branyan, Seattle Mariners
Phillies: 2007, acquired via trade for cash

Played a whole seven games with the Phillies in 2007, but ironically played a key role in helping the Phillies on their way to clinching the NL East division.

In just nine at bats he hit two home runs, including a game winning two run homer in his first at bat with the Phillies. The majestic shot came on August 14 against the Washington Nationals. The Phillies won 3-2.

 

SECOND BASE – Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers
Phillies: 2002-2005, acquired in trade for Scott Rolen

Polanco was one of the most well rounded players while he was with the Phillies. The biggest name to come to the Phillies from St. Louis in exchange for Scott Rolen, Polanco provided the Phillies with a minimum of a .289 batting average, few strike outs, and solid defensive play.

Some wonder what would have happened if Charlie Manuel would have used Polanco at third base more often, allowing a young Chase Utley more time at second base early on. After signing a free agent contract with the Phillies in 2005, the Phillies traded the solid infielder to Detroit in exchange for Ugueth Urbina and Ramon Martinez.

 

THIRD BASE – Scott Rolen, Toronto Blue Jays
Phillies: 1996-2002, drafted in second round in 1993

Scott Rolen is probably the best player to play third base in this franchise’s history not named Schmidt. Rolen had so much talent on offense and defense but he could not get along with manager Larry Bowa.

Rolen pushed for his exit from Philadelphia, causing many fans to detest him, but Rolen was a pure talent. He has dropped off in numbers since his departure, but he did win a World Series with St. Louis.

 

SHORTSTOP – Nick Punto, Minnesota Twins
Phillies: 2001-2003, drafted in 21st round in 1998

Nick Punto was never in a roster battle with Jimmy Rollins, but his speed did come in handy on the base path. He never developed though and recorded just two stolen bases in 77 games with the Phillies. He was traded to the Twins (along with Carlos Silva) in exchange for Eric Milton.

 

CATCHER – Rod Barajas, Toronto Blue Jays
Phillies: 2007, signed as free agent

The 2007 season was an interesting one, as some of the off season moves designed to help the Phillies reach the playoffs fizzled and exploded. On the mound was Freddy Garcia. Behind the plate was Rod Barajas.

After backing out of a deal with Toronto and switching agents, Barajas reached a deal with the Phillies, paying him much less than he would get in Toronto. Barajas saw split action with Carlos Ruiz and once he went down to injury Chris Coste emerged on the scene. Barajas eventually signed with Toronto before the 2008 season.

 

LEFT FIELD – Pat Burrell, Tampa Bay Rays
Phillies: 2000-2008, drafted in first round in 1998

Pat “The Bat” still has his loyal fans in Philadelphia, even if Raul Ibanez has taken over in left field the way he has. Burrell was a power in the lineup for most of the decade and seemed to bleed Phillies red.

The fans loved him and he was always respectful of the fans. But more importantly he put up numbers. 251 home runs, 827 RBI, 100-plus hits each season, and 785 walks. Burrell of course is now with Tampa Bay, seeing most of his playing time as a designated hitter, though he is currently on the DL.

 

RIGHT FIELD – Bobby Abreu, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Phillies: 1998-2006, acquired in trade for Kevin Stocker

Abreu was a tough guy to figure out. He was one of the toughest outs on the team yet he had many people detest him while with the Phillies. Perhaps it was his lack of going all out on defense, though he somehow won a Gold Glove, or the Eskin driven hate machine pointing out his lack of production when it mattered.

Say what you will about Abreu, the best move made by former general manager Ed Wade, but he was a shoe-in for 150 hits, 20 home runs, about 100 RBI and 100-plus walks any given season.

Abreu was traded to the New York Yankees, along with Corey Lidle, for C.J. Henry, Carlos Monastrios, Jesus Sanchez, and Matt Smith in a trade that can only be referred to as a salary dump. The move did set the stage for the team’s future though.

 

CENTER FIELD – J.D. Drew, Boston Red Sox
Phillies: Technically never, but the Phillies did draft him in the first round in 1997

In order to complete the former Phillies AL ballot, somebody has to play center field. In this case J.D. Drew must field the position. True, Drew never did suit up in a Phillies uniform as he and his agent, Scott Boras, failed to go back on their words that Drew would not sign for less than $10 million.

You can debate who was right and who was wrong, but Drew has only put together one all star season, coming last year in a game in which he was named the MVP. Drew opted to play in the independent league and re-entered the draft the next season, being selected by the St. Louis Cardinals. Pat Burrell would be the top pick by the Phillies that year.

Don’t forget to vote for this year’s All-Star teams!

Philadelphia Phillies: Meet the New and Improved Bullpen

The Phillies are now 30-20 and have their largest lead in the NL East race of the season at 2.5 games.

Raul Ibanez is playing like a freaking machine, Ryan Howard is heating up, Antonio Bastardo just had a brilliant debut, Brad Lidge had four saves in four games and Cole Hamels is pitching like Cole Hamels.

Can you believe that this team is about to get better, without having made any trades yet?

When J.C. Romero suits up and takes his place in the bullpen tonight, the Phillies will once again have the top bullpen in the National League. Sure, maybe Romero will need a game or two to fully get back in the swing of things (and then again, maybe he won’t) so a slip up in one of his first appearances in the major leagues in 2009 shouldn’t alarm anyone.

But all accounts seem to indicate that Romero is ready to go—and if he is then watch out.

If Charlie Manuel has Romero as an option out of the pen there will not be a need to shuffle his relievers as much as has happened so far this season. A year ago Romero took on the role of the seventh inning pitcher, acting as a set-up man to the set-up man. Scott Eyre, a trade acquisition, was used as a left handed specialist. Ryan Madson was the eight inning arm and Lidge naturally was the closer.

So what can we expect form the bullpen now?

 

Closer

This slot is Lidge’s, no doubt. After some rocky appearances in the first month and a half Lidge has now recorded four straight saves in his four save opportunities. Unless he gets injured, Lidge will be in this role the entire season.

Set-Up Man

Madson made a name for himself last season as he really took to the concept of being the main set-up man in the eighth inning. He has done well in the role once again this season, and gives the Phillies one of the best eighth-inning arms in the National League.

Seventh Inning

Let us assume that the Phillies expect a minimum of six innings out of their starters. As long as the starting pitcher gets through six innings, the Philies will win most of their games because the bullpen starts to become lethal in the seventh inning.

Romero figures to be one of the first options out of the pen. If the situation calls for a right-handed pitcher, then expect Chad Durbin to be the first option.

 

Mop-Up Duty

Clay Condrey saw most of his action in games last year when the Phillies had a big lead. While he has been used in tighter situations so far this season, and has done well, I anticipate that Condrey will go back to being seldom used. Condrey, though, could be a good fit for extra innings as well.

That leaves Chan Ho Park and Jack Taschner. Taschner has not been a train wreck, but his 1.69 WHIP will keep the Phillies from using him in close games. Even more alarming is Park’s 1.81 WHIP and 7.32 ERA.

Park has already been demoted from the starting rotation and I thought he would be a good fit in the bullpen. He has yet to play at the level I expected him to in relief, though. Taschner and Park should only be used in games in which the Phillies are either ahead by ten or down by ten.

I think the bullpen order seems pretty straight forward, but what do you think? Also, do you think the Phillies will make any roster moves, whether by trade, free agency, or minor league promotions specifically to change the bullpen?

Utley and Howard Go Deep, Blanton Solid in Phillies Win Over Padres, 5-3

Petco Park is not supposed to be a hitter’s park but Chase Utley and Ryan Howard‘s back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning would have you think otherwise. The power shots helped the Phillies build a 4-1 lead on the host San Diego Padres and the team held on for a 5-3 road win.

The best road team in baseball got a solid outing from Joe Blanton, who pitched seven innings allowing three runs on six hits and struck out five. In the process Blanton dropped his season ERA to 5.86, dipping below six for the first time this season.

Blanton was cruising along in the game and ran into some trouble with two outs in the sixth inning. Adrian Gonzalez, the National League home runs leader, hit a solo home run to bring the Padres to within two runs of the Phillies.

Scott Hairston followed that with another two out solo home run to give the Padres their own set of back to back home runs.

Blanton got the final out though and pitched through the seventh inning, handing the game over to Scott Eyre, who in turn handed the game over to Brad Lidge. Lidge recorded his fourth straight save in as many games, but it was not your typical save.

Eyre pitched a solid eight inning and started the ninth inning. To start the inning Eyre walked Gonzalez, which prompted manager Charlie Manuel to bring in Lidge. After Lidge recorded the first out a pitch got away from Carlos Ruiz.

With Gonzalez advancing to second Ruiz threw to Jimmy Rollins. Gonzalez’s slide made him safe but when his foot came of the bag Rollins made the tag for the second out. The Padres argued the call but the out would stand. Brian Giles then then popped up to end the ball game.

For a Phillies fan there is a lot to take in a positive light form this game. While the offense put up some mediocre numbers with runners in scoring position the offense did power their way to five runs.

Blanton gave you seven solid innings and was in control all night. Lidge was perfect for the fourth straight time, although it would be nice to not have to use him for a game to give him a rest.

Paired with the Mets blowing a late lead by allowing the Pirates to score five runs in the eighth inning the Phillies’ lead in the NL East is increased to 1.5 games.

Tonight the Phillies send minor league prospect Antonio Bastardo to the mound. Bastardo will make his major league debut tonight in place of the injured Brett Myers. He will be opposed by one of the top names on fans’ wish lists to replace Myers via trade, Jake Peavy.

Jamie Moyer: Macho Row Phillie of the Week

This week’s Macho Row Phillie of the Week is Jamie Moyer.

While it took Moyer a while to reach his milestone 250th win, which he did yesterday, the fans and team finally got to reward him with a nice little tribute.

The modest Moyer will view his 250th career win as just another win for his team, but he should be congratulated for his success.

Moyer had some moderate success over the past week though.

Since last Monday, Moyer pitched 12 innings and allowed five runs. He also struck out nine batters, though those numbers probably won’t impress many people.

I think he pitched well against the Florida Marlins on Memorial Day except for one inning, although the four runs he allowed handed him a loss that night.

Congratulations, Moyer, on your 250th career victory and for being tabbed this week’s Phillie of the Week.

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