Phils offense walks the plank

The Phillies wasted another good outing by a starting pitcher losing to the Pirates 2-0.  Jamie Moyer went seven innings only allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out a season high eight batters.

Moyer never really got into trouble except in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Andrew McCutchen led off with a single and then Moyer struck out Garret Jones and Lastings Milledge before Ryan Doumit reached on an infield single.  A bases on balls to Bobby Crosby and the bases were loaded with two outs.  Another infield single scored McCutchen and Doumit.  Doumit was able to score on Moyer’s throwing error capping off all the scoring for the night.

Last night the Phils were unable to figure out Pittsburgh starter Daniel McCutchen allowing him to earn his first win of the season.  Tonight they were facing Ross Ohlendorf who had been winless in his last 16 starts dating back to last season and 0-6 already this year.  Even a lineup without Chase Utley and Placido Polanco, the Phillies should have open the scoring early on this Pittsburgh team.  Instead, Ohlendorf scattered five hits and, like Moyer, struck out eight batters.

The Phillies best scoring chance was in the sixth inning when Raul Ibanez doubled with one out.  Jayson Werth then struck out and with Ryan Howard batting Ibanez moved to third on a wild pitch.  Ohlendorf then intentionally walked Howard and Ben Francisco lined out to right to end the threat.

The Phillies have now lost four out of their last five games and three in a row.  On this current losing streak they have managed to score only five runs.  Currently on this road trip they are 3-5.  If you take out the three ‘road’ games against Toronto in Philly, the Phils are 1-4.

Worth noting:  Wilson Valdez is still doing his best to fill in going 2 for 3.  Werth was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts.