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Moyer, Phillies hope gain ground in standings

Aug 7, 2007 - 1:20 PM Florida (52-60) at Philadelphia (58-53) 7:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Phillies turn to Jamie Moyer in order to advance in the standings.

Moyer and the Phillies open a three-game series against the Florida Marlins on Tuesday.

Philadelphia scored five runs in the ninth inning to rally for an 8-6 victory vs. the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday to remain within five games of the National League East-leading New York Mets.

With the Mets and the second-place Atlanta Braves squaring off in a three-game set on Tuesday, the Phillies hand the ball to Moyer (9-8, 4.84) to try to make some headway in the division.

The lefthanded Moyer has had his way with the Marlins, going 5-0 with a 2.45 ERA in five career starts, including 2-0 in two outings in 2007.

However, the 21-year veteran - who is 4-1 vs. divisional opponents - has struggled recently, going 2-3 with a 6.81 ERA in his last six starts. In his last outing, Moyer gave up four runs and nine hits in five innings of a 5-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs last Wednesday.

The Marlins counter with rookie Rick VandenHurk (3-2, 6.75), who looks to add to Florida's two-game winning streak.

The righthander, who hasn't recorded a decision in his last three starts, allowed two runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings of a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies last Thursday.

VandenHurk has never faced the Phillies.