Just call him The Angler. With precision, he fools the fish with bait, and reels them in one at a time.
Jamie Moyer absolutely owns the Florida Marlins. With an array of trickery, Moyer went seven innings with ease on a humid night in Miami. After 94 pitches, Moyer shook hands and left with four strikeouts, as opposed to just two base runners total. One hit and one walk was all the Marlins would manage on this 87-degree night at Land Shark Stadium.
His career stats against Florida are nearly fictitious. In 15 starts, Moyer has a 13-2 record, and his ERA is under three.
Focusing on his near-perfect performance last night, Moyer put together yet another quality game, while proving that age is just a number. Now 9-6 on the season, the elder statesman has fought to provide consistency to an otherwise erratic season. As you may recall, the 46-year old lefty had an ERA north of eight in mid-May, but has lowered that into the mid-fives.
No one is mistaking Moyer for a lights-out performer, but last night was a thing of beauty. From the captain’s chair, Jamie was perfect through four innings until Jorge Cantu broke up the dominance with a single to begin the fifth. That would be all. Countless times Moyer would tease with an 81 M.P.H. fastball on either corner, only to drop a sub-70’s hammer that was virtually un-hittable. Using the Marlins long-swinging approach against them, it became obvious early that the commander was in full control.
It’s ridiculous to believe the veteran can torture his opponent every time out like he does with the Marlins. But they don’t need him to. All Moyer needs to do is keep the Phillies offense within striking distance, and it seems the offense does the rest. He receives over eight runs of support per game, fifth best in the NL.
Moyer has also taught his pupils quite well. Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero each tossed a perfect inning to close out the deal. No way they were going to blow this one for the professor; he dug deep in the swelter and earned it.
With the victory, the Phils jumped five games ahead of Florida in the NL East. With the win, The Angler speared, sliced, and gutted the fish like he has done time and again.
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