Game 11: Phillies (don't) get shutout for the first time (8-3)

NOTE: I was typing this post in the top of the 9th inning to save time. That bastard Werth ruined what I wrote, but I'm going to leave it. I know the Phillies were not shutout.

As much as I'd love to be able to blame Jamie Moyer for tonight's loss, it doesn't matter how many runs he gives up if the offense fails to score (AHA- they score 1). However you look at it though, it's not encouraging when the Phillies only have 1 pitcher throwing acceptably. I never like to root against my favorite teams, but I just don't like how Jamie Moyer is eating up tons of money that could have been spent on the DLed Cliff Lee.

It's frustrating how Ricky Nolasco, who is the owner of a career 4.46 ERA (1.251 WHIP though), owns the Phillies. Nolasco's career OPS against is .742 and the Phillies post a below average .719 OPS against him. He is a neutral pitcher (0.86 GO/AO), but his ratio does fall close to the FB pitcher border (less than 0.83). Maybe that explains it.

Nothing really in terms of Manuel's decisions tonight. He batted for Moyer at the right time despite the fact that he settled in. I would like to be able to complain about Moyer starting tonight over Hamels (he pitched Monday), but either way Moyer would have had to pitch tonight or tomorrow, so whatever. Regardless of being shutout tonight (THEY WEREN'T!!), the Phillies are 8-3. They are averaging 7 runs/game (now 7.14 since Werth broke up the shutout).

The Phillies go for their 4th straight series win (out of 4 chances) tomorrow at 1:35 when LHP Cole Hamels faces LHP Nate Robertson.