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Moyer pitches into ninth to lift Phillies

Apr 19, 2007 - 10:40 PM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Jamie Moyer still has the ability to frustrate an opponent.

Moyer came within three outs of his 32nd career complete as the Philadelphia Phillies held on for a 4-2 victory over the Washington Nationals.

A soft-tossing lefthander who is in his 21st season, the 44-year-old Moyer gave up just two singles and carried a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the ninth.

But after allowing consecutive doubles to Ryan Zimmerman and Dmitri Young, he was pulled in favor of closer Tom Gordon.

Gordon made things even more interesting for the reeling Phillies after hitting Austin Kearns with a pitch and surrendering a single to Ryan Church. A sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Robert Fick pulled the Nationals within 4-2.

After pinch hitter Brian Schneider grounded out to move the tying runners into scoring position, Gordon struck out Chris Snelling looking to notch his third save.

Moyer (2-1) wound up allowing two runs and four hits in eight-plus innings, walking four and striking out five.

"Right now we're in a little rut and not playing good, consistent baseball," Moyer said. "Sometimes guys try to do too much. Today I just stayed focused on the task at hand and that's pitch and do my job and the defense do theirs. I tried to get quick innings, force contact and get out. I thought we did a good job of that today."

The big effort by Moyer was a needed boost for the Phillies (4-10), who entered with baseball's worst record and were without reigning National League MVP Ryan Howard (leg).

"Jokingly, I told Jamie to give Gordon a little more time to get ready," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "I like to bring in closers fresh to start the inning but Jamie was pitching great. The most important thing is we got the win."

Shane Victorino went 3-for-5 with an RBI and Aaron Rowand hit a solo homer for the Phillies, who banged out 10 hits - six that went for extra bases.

Nationals starter John Patterson (0-3) went four-plus innings, allowing three runs and seven hits. The righthander walked four and struck out one.

"It's just not there right now," said Patterson, who was limited to eight starts last season due to a forearm injury. "It seems like I can't catch a break out there. My arm doesn't feel bad it just seems to fatigue a bit during games. I have to be patient. I can't mentally collapse. I just have to stay positive"

Looking to bounce back after dropping Wednesday's series opener in 12 innings, the Phillies broke on top quickly. Jimmy Rollins blooped a double down the left field line and Victorino laced a run-scoring single into right field.

Rowand hit his first homer since last August to open the second inning, giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead.

"Today we just played fundamental baseball," Rowand said. "We were getting hits and putting guys in position to score. As a team we're hitting the ball better and better."

Moyer cruised through the first three innings, including striking out the side in the third. After allowing a bunt single with two out in the third, Moyer didn't allow another hit until Zimmerman's double to open the ninth.

"He's a 20-year veteran and there's a reason for it," Nationals outfielder Michael Restovich said. "You have a gameplan and you stick to it. He doesn't throw hard so we didn't want to get to excited but that's easier said than done."

In the fifth, Wes Helms lofted a sacrifice fly to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead. Rollins had a run-scoring base hit in the sixth.