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Marlins solve Moyer, rout Phillies

Aug 6, 2008 - 3:26 AM By Larry Dougherty PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Florida Marlins may not have figured out the veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer, but they finally posted a win over the oldest active player in baseball with an 8-2 triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.

Moyer (10-7), who struggled with his control, surrendered only two runs in his five innings of work, but that was enough as Florida righthander Josh Johnson and the Marlins' bullpen held the Phillies bats in check.

"It is just one of those things we got him," Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He got us 10 times and we were just lucky to get him out of there - and we were able to score some runs later in the game."

It was Moyer's first career loss in 11 outings against the Marlins.

"It's bound to happen sooner or later. The way I look at it, I beat myself tonight," Moyer said.

Johnson (2-0), making just his fifth start since "Tommy John" surgery ended his 2007 season, allowed just five hits in his six innings of work en route to recording his second consecutive victory.

The 24-year-old looked like the pitcher who compiled a 12-7 record and a 3.10 ERA in his rookie season in 2006.

"The first three innings I struggled a little bit, but after that it felt good," Johnson said. "It felt like everything was there. It felt as close to being all the way back as it could be."

Jeremy Hermida had two hits and four RBI to lead Florida, which moved to within 1.5 games of first-place Philadelphia in the National League East Division.

All-Star Dan Uggla opened the scoring in the second inning with a double down the left field line and came around to score courtesy of Moyer's wildness. The Phillies hurler hit John Baker with a pitch, and after retiring the next two batters, intentionally walked All-Star Hanley Ramirez before Hermida drew a walk to force in Uggla.

The Marlins manufactured another run in the second as Ramirez singled, moved to second as Moyer hit Hermida, and scored on a Josh Willingham RBI groundout.

Alfredo Amezaga delivered a two-run single in the seventh off reliever Les Walrond, who was making his first major league appearance since 2006, to give Florida a four-run cushion.

Shane Victorino provided the only runs for the Phillies as his two-run homer snuck just inside the left field foul pole in the bottom of the seventh off Reynel Pinto to halve the deficit.

The Marlins added an insurance run in the eighth as Ramirez led off the frame with walk, reached second on J.A. Happ's wild pitch and scored on Hermida's RBI single.

Hermida capped a three-run ninth with a two-run single and Joe Nelson and Arthur Rhodes combined to strikeout the side in the eighth while Matt Lindstrom pitched a scoreless ninth.

"It is big for us," Hermida said. "To come here against the team we are chasing and get the first one out of the way is definitely big for us, especially against the guy we are facing who has had a lot of success against us."