Running into a Brick Wall

(originally posted 8/8/07)

Phillies SP Jamie Moyer, and the rest of the Phillies, have had a very good week so far. A miraculous, come-from-behind victory on Sunday. On Monday, Jamie Moyer hosted a charity event at Citizens Bank Park, featuring the Phillies players as waiters, and raising almost $250,000 for Camp Erin. On Tuesday, Moyer only allowed one earned run (on his very first pitch!) in six strong innings, in the Phillies' 11-1 win over Florida. It was the 111th career victory over the Marlins' franchise for the veteran southpaw, with the first coming in 1889 against the Wilmington (Del.) Teal Stockings.

The Phillies didn't get off to the best start, allowing a home run on the first pitch to a Marlin, and only scoring once in the first inning. But then they pounded Florida starter Rick VandenHurk (3-3, 7.49) for six runs (on five hits and five walks!) in only 2.1 innings, on their way to eleven unanswered runs. Ryan Howard blasted his 31st and 32nd home runs, and Aaron Rowand followed Howard's 4th inning homer with one of his own. Moyer (6 IP, 1 ER) and J.D. Durbin (three scoreless innings) shut down the Marlins' offense. In the blowout, the Marlins' crack announcing team was relegated to responding to e-mail from every single Marlin fan, and trying to drum up excitement for the upcoming Marlins' promotional days. These promotions included Sergio Mitre Shirt Day and a postgame concert featuring Vince Neil and Quiet Riot. (It was unclear whether Neil would be fronting QR, or performing a set of his own solo hit. I should have e-mailed and asked!) While Marlins fans do have quite a bit to look forward to, they didn't have much to enjoy on Tuesday night.

The Phillies face the Marlins again Wednesday night, with the Phillies' Kyle Lohse (undefeated as a Phillie in home starts) opposing Marlins starter Dontrelle Willis (winless in last eight decisions). When Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo ran into the brick wall behind home plate pursuing a popup in Tuesday night's game, he growled a loud expletive, and the Marlins announcers indicated "that brick wall back there is hard!" Expect some more expletives from Marlins fans and players tonight, as having to play the streaking Phillies right now is more painful than running into a brick wall. MUCH more painful.