Howard, Moyer Star in Phillies Win

After how this year has been going so far, no one expected tonight's stars to be Ryan Howard and Jamie Moyer. Both led the Phillies to a 12-2 win over the Nationals, bolstered by an 8-run 6th inning.

The seasoned Moyer pitched 6 shut out innings, striking out 3, walking 1, and giving up 7 hits. He got himself out of a couple jams in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings as his pitch count rose but he kept the runners from crossing the plate. Clay Condrey pitched 3 innings for his first save, a rare situational save in fact.

At the plate, the cold slugger in Howard woke up as he went 3-5 with 2 HRs and a double, driving in 4 runs. Howard got his average up to .195, still below the Mendoza line.

Howard wasn't the only Phillie to go deep as both Shane Victorino and Pedro Feliz belted homers. Victorino also added a double and single as he went 3-5, driving in 2 runs as well as scoring 3 times. Jimmy Rollins went 2-6 with a double, run, and RBI.

Moyer has been shaky all season as his age looks like it finally caught up to him. It was nice seeing him go 6 innings. It was also nice seeing the offense support a quality start. This offense tends to be very streaky. They are dangerous when hot and a cancer when cold.

The Phillies are now a game and a half behind the Marlins and are tied with the Braves. They will enter the next series in Houston to face the Astros (27-21). The match ups are:

Kendrick (3-2) vs Oswalt (4-4)
Eaton (0-2) vs Backe (3-5)
Myers (2-5) vs Moehler (1-1)