Myers’ Poor Start Dooms Phils Against Webb

When you’re an “ace,” you’re supposed to be able to match another team’s “ace” tit for tat, keeping your team in game contention and bridging the contest  for your bullpen to step in.

It’s becoming increasingly painful to admit that Brett Myers is not an ace. Not even close.

Myers struggled through five innings, giving up six earned runs (seven total) on nine hits and three walks. The game quickly got away from him in the fourth inning, when the D-Backs put up a four-spot with the bottom of their order.

With seven runs, the D-Backs were more than comfortable  with Brandon Webb on the hill. The now 8-0 stud hurled a complete game for Arizona, throwing only 104 pitches. The Phillies had no answer for Webb — they were grounding into outs left and right (18 total).

Shane Victorino and Eric Bruntlett continued to stay hot at the top of the order, each getting two hits with Vic manufacturing a run on his own in the first inning. Chase Utley (0-for-2) and Ryan Howard (1-for-4) each had an RBI.

You couldn’t think the Phils would get much out of Webb, who has been all-universe this season. A first inning run is tremendous. Myers surrendered a home run to Chris Young in the bottom of the first. If that was all he gave up, it’s a different story. Instead, Mr. Self Destruct failed to even give his offense a chance.