Moyer, Bullpen Shut Out Padres
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sat, August 16, 2008 11:25 AM | Comments: 16
Posts
The Phillies snapped their four-game losing streak, taking a 1-0 pitchers’ duel against the Padres Friday night.
Jamie Moyer was the successful elder, giving up just three hits and two walks in seven innings. Of course, the Padres are a horrible hitting ballclub, but you get a great start, you get results. Moyer was sparkling, lowering his ERA 3.64. Hey, if Moyer can do this kind of stuff for a couple more years, I’d welcome a 50-year-old Moyer slinging changeups at the Vault in 2013.
The bullpen held it to win it. Ryan Madson and JC Romero combined to get the Pads in the eighth, giving Chad Durbin a needed day off. Brad Lidge nailed down his 29th save in as many chances.
And I have to mention the great Phillies defense in this one, especially Chase Utley, making a nice play to throw out Greg Maddux, and Jimmy Rollins, who made two spectacular, gold glove plays.
The Phils lone run came from Pat Burrell’s 28th home run of the season, thankfully in the seventh, so Moyer could notch his 11th win. But the Phils only got five other hits and walked just once, while striking out nine times. I can’t stress enough that if this were any other team the Phils were facing, they would’ve lost. This offense is horrendous.
But for one night, celebrate yet another awesome start by Moyer, who keeps defying everything.
Associated Press photo
Posts: 0 lilgartrn
Moyer is the glue on this team, but it’s nice to see good play from the other vets…. let’s focus on some hitting and ball playing, and knock the amazin’s out of first for good!!
Posted: 11:45 AM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 Greg V.
I enjoyed the Moyer-Maddux duel. Both pitched damn good games. But I agree with the blog that this offense really could have done better. I’m sorry when there is a runner in scoring position with 0 outs in the 8th inning, we should at least be able to get that run home. No dice. So yes, the offense continues to worry me. But my hat is off to Jamie Moyer! I’ve really enjoyed watching him this season!
Posted: 11:49 AM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 GM-Carson
Campaign Cheer, support the cause!
Posted: 12:03 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
As I’ve said before, Moyer is the team MVP, without him they woudn’t even be in contention.
Posted: 12:28 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 Bruce
Mr Carson~ Do I detect sarcasm in your bunk..er..blog? (chuckle)
Posted: 12:30 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Hey Tim, it’s been very depressing to watch the Phillies this year. Can we get a blog that is focused on the positive aspects of this team so we can raise some spirits?
Posted: 12:42 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Does anyone have a legit theory to why the Phillies offense cant produce runs?
Besides the obvious moving guys over, etc. I mean, singles and doubles….arent that hard to come by. I coach baseball, so things can always be mechanical, but it seems to me that pitchers are pitching them a certain way all year and not one guy on this team can adjust. Thats my take on it. I also think its mental. Once they all went cold at the same time they all quit doing their jobs and started trying to be fucking heroes and hit 8 run HR’s.
Posted: 12:59 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 Bruce
Georgie~ What is it now? THIRTEEN straight quality starts (3 runs or fewer) for Moyer? I have to agree with you.
And to Tim..You say.. “I can’t stress enough that if this were any other team the Phils were facing, they would’ve lost “. It’s reads as if you’re not confident in Moyer to have the same kind of performance (7 inning shutout and with Lidge standing by)) against another club. Sorry, but I disagree.
Posted: 12:59 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Gavin, my theory is that the Phillies can’t handle pressure. When their pitchers are pitching poorly their bats are on, if the pitchers show up they choke. When they’re in 1st place they can’t handle the pressure of being in 1st so they choke. Once they’re in second for a few days they’ll come alive again.
Posted: 01:02 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
BTW, I love the Campain Cheer idea……kill em with kindness Phillies fans……who cares if we win!!! Just enjoy dropping $100+ to watch JRoll and “friends” swing at the first pitch after just walking the pitcher on 4 pitches.
Posted: 01:06 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Whenever you watch this team its on tenderhooks waiting for the other shoe to drop, the Phils are rarely in control. There seems to be the kind of attitude if we’re ahead early it’s foot off the gas time and if we’re tied late then it’s waiting for the other team to take advantage. I don’t care if we come out and loose a load of games as long as we start seeing this team play some positive baseball in every phase of the game, at this point winning becomes secondary because we’re not going to be a contendor in this state.
Posted: 01:07 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Moyer’s a pro, thats all that needs to be said, b/c name 2 or 3 other pros on this team. Utley, Lidge, Burrell…….?
Posted: 01:07 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
I can’t believe it when people on here campaign for a rotation past this year without Moyer, the guy can clearly still pitch and the pitchers around him are better for his presence and approach to the game.
Posted: 01:11 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
I did not think he could rebound and have a good year. He started off a little shaky and it seemed like that was it. But he has really been consistently good since about mid-may. It just doesnt make any sense that he can still get people out, but thats beauase he knows how to pitch and some of the other people theyve got (brett myers) dont know how to pitch. i still think they should go to a 6-man rotation next season to preserve the arms of some of their guys. hard to believe that nolan ryan threw 200 pitches in a game once, with 4-man rotations, throwing his heaters, and still not get hurt at all. beast.
i think one of the reasons for pitcher delicacy is that coaches push them too hard at younger ages and their logging more innings before they even get out of high school. also, there are less knuckleballers which means people throw harder now and more people throw sliders and curves which is taxing to the elbow area if not properly thrown. a lot of people now with wierd mechanics too.
all a lot of good reasons to protect your pitchers with a 6-man rotation nowadays.
Posted: 01:23 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
he can hang at the back of your rotation next year and go from there. if its a 6-man rotation that includes carrasco or happ or some big ticket pitcher thats all the better. if its a 5-man rotation i think myers gets traded still to make room for someone.
Posted: 01:24 PM on August 16, 2008
Posts: 0 Mark
Moyer is incredible this season. But I gotta agree with Tim that against almost any other MLB team, the moribund Phillies offense would have lost.
Posted: 04:33 PM on August 16, 2008