Howard’s Smash Backs Moyer

Sporting a uniform that was worn by the Phillies in the year he was born, Jamie Moyer cruised along retiring the first eight batters he faced.  Moyer had a comfortable four run lead with the opposing pitcher due up, and was bound for another easy inning.

Instead, Felipe Paulino doubled and the wheels fell off.  Moyer struggled to get a single out as the next eight batters reached base.  Jason Michaels’ and Hunter Pence’s home runs tied the game.  Michaels’ homer was the Astros’ first home run of the season.  The Astros’ 2010 firsts did not end there.  They took their first lead of the season on a sharp ground ball that was mishandled by Placido Polanco.

You could go on and on about how bad that inning was for Jamie Moyer and the Phillies.  But you could also go on and on about how ridiculously hot the Phillies offense is right now.  They’re only averaging 8.2 runs per game.

The Phillies played a little small ball to score the first four runs.  The fact that the Phillies aren’t relying on the home run ball is an excellent sign.  They are drawing walks, getting on base any way they can, and bringing those runners home to score.

But it’s always nice to hit the long ball.  Trailing 5-4, Ryan Howard provided the smash.  Howard cranked a two-run homer off the concrete wall in deep left-center field.  The Phillies took a 6-5 lead, and did not look back.

Jayson Werth went 3-for-4 with 3 runs batted in.  Shane Victorino joined the fun with a RBI single and a ninth inning home run.  Victorino hit into tough luck all week, but finally found a hole.

Moyer settled in after a rough third inning, and was able to make it through six.  He earned the win in the Phillies 9-6 victory over the Houston Astros.  It will be a battle of the Roy’s (Halladay-Oswalt) tomorrow as the the Phillies go for the sweep against the win-less Astros.