Top Moment No. 18: Pedro Outduels Lincecum

Throughout the month, Phillies Nation will be counting down the Top 25 Phillies Moments of 2009.

Top Moment #18: September 3, 2009 – Pedro Martinez outduels Tim Lincecum in 2-1 victory

Entering September, it appeared the move to pick up Pedro Martinez was pure genius. His addition alongside the newly acquired Cliff Lee more than made up for the minor offensive slump the Phillies were experiencing late in the season.  This home game was Pedro’s fifth start with the team which had won his first four. He was facing the Giants young phenom, Tim Lincecum.  It was a much anticipated match up of the Old Goat versus the Freak.

As an archetypal competitor, Pedro was up to the challenge…well maybe, not at first.  The Giants opened the scoring when left fielder Eugenio Velez smashed the first pitch of the game over the wall for a leadoff home run. Pedro later said the hit was a wake up call.  He was able to recover and escape the inning then soon settled in for another impressive performance.

After Jayson Werth tied the game with an upper deck homer to left field in the second inning, Martinez and Lincecum went on auto pilot.  Then with two outs in the sixth, the Giants righty drilled Chase Utley with a fastball to the upper back. Ryan Howard made Lincecum pay by smacking a double to score Utley and give the Phillies the lead.

Pedro exited the game after seven innings and finished with five hits and one run allowed with nine strikeouts and no walks. Madson breezed through the eighth and Lidge overcame a stressful ninth to close it out for the Phillies’ 77th win of the season. Tim Lincecum’s eleven strikeouts helped to end the pitchers’ duel in just 2 hours and 8 minutes.  It also helped to send the Phillies offense deeper into a slump as Raul Ibanez struck out three times with Ultey and Howard each recording two.

Nonetheless, Pedro went on to finish the regular season 5-1, with the team going 8-1 when he pitched.  Unfortunately he came up short in the World Series with two losses; but no matter his future with the Phillies, he can point to this game as proof that the Old Goat has still got it.

Highlights from the Gameday Comments:

• Jeff Says:
  September 3rd, 2009 at 8:01 pm now this is a pitchers duel. if we can just get this win that will be BIG.
• Ed R. Says:
  September 3rd, 2009 at 8:39 pm 2002 is calling…someone kidnapped their Pedro.
• Keith Says:
  September 3rd, 2009 at 8:41 pm Ibanez automatic K these days, very sad.
• Mike D. Says:
  September 3rd, 2009 at 9:34 pm “He had some trouble with the leadoff hitter, other than that, he pitched real good.” – vintage Charlie.