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Myers looks to stay hot against lowly Nationals

Aug 20, 2008 - 10:11 AM Washington (44-82) at Philadelphia (67-58) 7:05 p.m. EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Brett Myers' trip to the minor leagues may have done him some good ... just in time for a pennant race.

Since returning to the Philadelphia Phillies after a month spent traveling from Class A Clearwater, to Class AA Reading and finally to Class AAA Lehigh Valley, Myers (5-10, 5.02 ERA) is finally starting to show the form that was expected of him -- for the last seven years.

The former 12th overall pick has gone 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA in five starts since returning. Prone to wildness and the long ball for much of the season, Myers has kept both to a minimum in recent weeks. He has allowed two home runs since coming back, and has walked only four batters over his last four starts.

When he takes the mound Wednesday, his opponent might make things even easier. Myers will face baseball's worst team, the Washington Nationals. Philadelphia dealt the Nationals their 11th straight loss on Tuesday, a 5-4 decision.

With their lone All-Star, shortstop Christian Guzman, in and out of the lineup with a nagging thumb injury, the Nationals have had even more trouble scoring runs than usual. During this skid, they have been shut out three times and are averaging 2.36 runs per game.

Myers faced off against them three weeks ago in his second start back. He went seven strong innings to pick up the win, allowing an unearned run on four hits.

Coincidentally, his pitching opponent in that game will face off against him once again. Rookie righthander Collin Balester (2-5, 5.06) looks to snap a personal two-game skid. He had one of his stronger big-league outings the last time he faced the Phillies, limiting them to six hits and two runs over six innings in a 2-1 loss.

With the Phillies still chasing the New York Mets (69-57) in the National League East, Myers' resurgence couldn't have come at a better time. The Mets, who scored five runs in the eighth on Tuesday night to come back and beat the Braves. Philadelphia defeated Washington, 5-4, in the first game of the series to keep pace at 1 1/2 games back.