Phils' Myers Brilliant In Shutout Of Punchless Nats
POSTED: 12:58 am EDT August 21,
2008
Philadelphia, PA -- (Sports Network) - Brett Myers threw a nine-hit shutout, and Greg Dobbs hit a two-run homer, as Philadelphia blanked Washington, 4-0, in the second of three games with the Nationals.Myers (6-10) worked out of several jams to keep the Nationals off the scoreboard, walked one and struck out nine. It was the seventh career complete game and third career shutout for Myers, who is now 3-1 with a 1.47 earned run average over his past five starts. Jayson Werth doubled and drove in a run, while Chase Utley, Shane Victorino and Chris Coste each collected two hits for the Phillies, who have won three in a row and four of five. Washington, meanwhile, saw its losing streak reach 12 games behind an offense that tallied as many hits as the Phillies -- nine -- but didn't push a run across the plate. Anderson Hernandez, who was acquired from the Mets as the player to be named in a deal that sent Luis Ayala to New York on Sunday, had three hits. Ronnie Belliard and Emilio Bonifacio each had two. Collin Balester (2-6) took the loss after allowing four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits and one walk in six innings. Myers nearly lost the shutout in the very first inning. With two outs, Ryan Zimmerman reached on third baseman Dobbs' throwing error, and Lastings Milledge walked. Belliard followed with a single to left, but Pat Burrell made a strong throw to get Zimmerman out at the plate. The Phillies' starter worked out of a first-and-second situation, with one out, in the second by getting Balester to pop up a bunt and fanning Bonifacio. Then, an error helped Philadelphia get on the scoreboard in the third. Dobbs led off with a walk and Coste was hit by a pitch. After Myers bunted into a fielder's choice, Jimmy Rollins grounded to second for a potential double play. But shortstop Hernandez's relay throw was off the mark as Coste scored. In the home fifth, Victorino beat out an infield single, and Dobbs followed by blasting a pitch into the right field stands for a 3-0 lead. Coste then singled, and went around to third on Rollins' base hit with one out. After Rollins was caught stealing, Werth doubled to right field to plate the run and make it a 4-0 contest. Myers allowed one runner in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, but worked around him each time. Hernandez beat out a short chopper to second base with two outs in the ninth, but Myers fanned Aaron Boone to end the game. Game Notes It was Myers' first complete game since September 20, 2006 against the Chicago Cubs. It was also his first shutout since May 20, 2004 against the Los Angeles Dodgers...Washington's Tim Redding (8-8) and Philadelphia's Jamie Moyer (11-7) are scheduled to start Thursday's series finale...The Phillies lead the season series 8-3...The Phillies activated third baseman Pedro Feliz from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday. Feliz has been on the DL since July 25 while suffering from a bulging disc in his lower back. In a related move, the Phillies optioned pitcher Les Walrond to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.








