Gameday: Braves (49-35) at Phillies (43-39)
Kris Medlen (5-1, 3.01) vs. Jamie Moyer (9-7, 4.13)
Time: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Partly Cloudy/Hot, 97
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Twitter: @philliesnation
Ugh. Last night could have been a win. All they needed was to bring in a runner from third base with no outs. They could not do it. Today, Jayson Werth and some others took batting practice early in an attempt to break this spell they’re under.
Tonight is may not make or break the year, but it’s pretty close to a must win. They need to keep pace here with Atlanta. If they can pull one out, a four game deficit, with how awful this team has played as a whole, would be a win itself.
Jamie Moyer goes for win #10. Think about that. This guy was toast before Spring Training and now he can have double digits in wins before the all-star break. Incredible. This season, Moyer has owned the Braves, which is more good news. In 15 innings he has allowed only six hits and zero earned runs. He’ll need to be brilliant again with a scuffling offense that could only provide Cole Hamels with three hits last night.
Here’s an awful stat for you: 41 times this year – half the season – the Phillies have scored 3 runs or less. Not. Getting. It. Done. Kris Medlen pitches for Atlanta – he’s seen the Phillies three times this year, once as a starter and twice as a reliever. In 6 2/3 innings, he’s allowed 13 hits, which is a good sign. The bad news: He hasn’t lost as a starter yet this year and his last loss came as a relief pitcher on April 9. The guy is hot, the weather is hot, the Phillies offense is not. Who will crack first?
Phillies Lineup: Rollins SS, Victorino CF, Ibanez LF, Howard 1B, Werth RF, Dobbs 3B, Valdez 2B, Sardinha C, Moyer P
Your gameday beer: Amstel Light
Amstel never really let’s me down, which is why I’m pairing this beer with a Phillies win tonight. I’m hoping not to be let down by either this evening. And, Amstel isn’t too heavy, so on a hot evening it’s rather refreshing. -By Pat
Go Phillies!
