When it comes to facing the youthful Florida Marlins, Jamie Moyer always finds a way to win one for the aged.
Moyer took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and did what he always does – beat the Marlins. Philadelphia scored two runs after a wild pitch and edged Florida 3-0 Thursday night, avoiding a three-game sweep.
“We didn’t need to get swept,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.
Moyer (7-3) allowed two hits in eight innings, striking out three and walking one. Most impressive stat: He’s 9-0 in nine career starts against Florida.
“He did it to us … again,” Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
Moyer vs. the Marlins is a clash of styles. Florida is a fastball-loving lineup, while Moyer’s fastball isn’t as fast as some pitchers’ changeups.
But the 45-year-old Moyer simply doesn’t subscribe to that as the theory why he has such success against the Marlins.
“I’m not buying that one anymore,” Moyer said. “These guys have been around two, three, four years. They’ve got a far better idea than they’ve had in the past and they’re a better ballclub.”
In other NL games Thursday, it was: Arizona 5, New York 4, in 10 innings; Milwaukee 9, Houston 6; San Francisco 10, Colorado 7; San Diego 9, Los Angeles 0; Cincinnati 6, St. Louis 2, Chicago 3, Atlanta 2 in 11 innings; and Pittsburgh 7, Washington 5.
Chase Utley, Pat Burrell, Jimmy Rollins and Pedro Feliz all had two hits for the first-place Phillies, who moved three games ahead of the Marlins in the NL East.
The last pitcher to win his first nine or more starts against one team was Pedro Martinez, who won his first 12 starts against Seattle from 1998-2004, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The only other active pitcher with a 9-0 record or better against one team is Randy Johnson, who is 12-0 against the Cubs.
Brad Lidge pitched the ninth for his 18th save in as many chances for the Phillies, only giving up a one-out single to Jeremy Hermida.
Florida starter Scott Olsen (4-3) singled off Utley’s glove in the sixth to end the no-hit bid, and Cody Ross singled in the seventh for Florida’s lone hits off Moyer – whose 565th career start was among his best.
Diamondbacks 5, Mets 4, 10 innings
Billy Wagner coughed up his third consecutive save chance, this time wasting a splendid pitching performance by Johan Santana and allowing visiting Arizona to rally for the win.
Justin Upton doubled leading off the 10th against Aaron Heilman (0-3) and scored on Miguel Montero’s sacrifice fly to help the Diamondbacks take two of three in the series.
After Santana struck out 10 in seven shutout innings, Wagner squandered a two-run lead in the ninth and screamed at himself several times while walking back to the dugout.
Brandon Lyon (2-1) worked two scoreless innings for the win.
Padres 9, Dodgers 0
Jake Peavy made a triumphant return with six strong innings and host San Diego scored five runs in the first inning.
Peavy (5-3) combined with three relievers on a five-hitter in his first start in nearly a month since being sidelined by a strained right elbow.
Hiroki Kuroda (3-6) took the loss.
Brewers 9, Astros 6
Ben Sheets struck out a season-high nine, Mike Cameron and Corey Hart homered for the second straight game and visiting Milwaukee won two of three in the series.
Prince Fielder and Gabe Kapler also homered for the Brewers, who’ve won five of their last seven series.
Sheets (7-1) beat Houston for the second time in three starts this season, allowing seven hits and two walks.
Brian Moehler (3-3) took the loss.
Cubs 3, Braves 2, 11 innings
Jeff Ridgway hit pinch-hitter Reed Johnson with the bases loaded in the 11th inning and host Chicago beat reeling Atlanta.
The Braves have lost six straight and fell to 7-24 on the road this season.
Manny Acosta (3-5) loaded the bases on two walks – one intentional – and a hit before Ridgway replaced him.
Kerry Wood (3-1) struck out four in two scoreless innings to get the win.
Reds 6, Cardinals 2
Brandon Phillips hit a three-run triple in host Cincinnati’s four-run seventh.
Cincinnati loaded the bases against relievers Mark Worrell (0-1) and Randy Flores with two outs in the seventh. Ken Griffey Jr. walked to force in the go-ahead run and Phillips followed with a drive down the right-field line.
Jared Burton (3-1) struck out two in 1 2-3 scoreless innings for the Reds, who ended the Cardinals’ four-game winning streak.
Pirates 7, Nationals 5
Ryan Doumit finished an outstanding series against the visiting Nationals, hitting another home run in Pittsburgh’s win.
In the three-game series, the Pirates’ catcher went 9-for-11 with four home runs, two doubles and seven RBIs to help Pittsburgh win two of three.
Nate McLouth, Doug Mientkiewicz and Chris Gomez also each had two hits, and Tom Gorzelanny (5-5) won for the first time in four starts for the Pirates (33-34), who moved within a game of .500 for the first time since May 17.
Jason Bergmann (1-4) was charged with six runs – four earned – and eight hits in 4 2-3 innings.
Giants 10, Rockies 7
Fred Lewis hit a three-run homer, Ray Durham picked up his 2,000th career hit and visiting San Francisco avoided being swept.
Jonathan Sanchez (6-3) pitched five shaky innings for his fourth straight win.
Rockies starter Greg Reynolds (1-4) had his shortest outing since being called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs on May 11, lasting just 3 1-3 innings. He allowed 10 hits and eight runs.
Add A Comment