Phillies one-hit Marlins, 4-0
Associated Press
MIAMI — The mismatches between Jamie Moyer and the Florida Marlins are becoming more one-sided.
Moyer allowed one hit in seven innings to continue his domination of Florida, Ryan Howard hit his 200th homer to sustain an unprecedented pace and the Philadelphia Phillies extended their winning streak to six games with a 4-0 victory last night.
Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero pitched one perfect inning each to complete the one-hitter.
Moyer (9-6) limited Florida to two baserunners and departed after throwing 94 pitches. The 46-year-old left-hander has won all eight of his career starts in Miami, and he's 13-2 overall against the young, free-swinging Marlins.
"They like to air it out," Phils manager Charlie Manuel said. "They like to swing and hit the ball hard. That kind of plays right into Moyer's game. That's what makes him pitch good."
Moyer rarely reached 80 mph on the radar gun and retired the Marlins 1-2-3 in six of seven innings.
"They put a lot of balls in play early in the count," he said.
"You have to tip your hat to Moyer," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "It seems we're always saying that."
The Phillies enjoy the longest current winning streak in the majors, and they've won 10 of their past 11 games. Resuming play after the All-Star break, they increased their lead over second-place Florida to five games in the NL East to start a four-game series.
"It's nice to win the first game back and try to recreate some of the momentum we took into the break," Moyer said.
The 29-year-old Howard hit his 23rd homer of the season in the sixth inning to reach the 200 milestone in 658 games, fewer than any player in major league history. Ralph Kiner, previously the fastest player to reach 200 home runs, did it in 706 games.
"It's a nice feat," Howard said. "It's a nice record to have. I'll take it and run with it."
All-Star Raul Ibanez hit two home runs, giving him 24 this season.
BREWERS 9, REDS 6
CINCINNATI — Home Run Derby winner Prince Fielder hit a three-run shot, Braden Looper (8-4) gave up three runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings and also had three hits, including a broken-bat, RBI single to lead Milwaukee over Cincinnati.
Seth McClung gave up a three-run homer in the eighth to Edwin Encarnacion, who drove in four runs. Trevor Hoffman pitched the ninth for his 21st save in 23 chances.
BRAVES 5, METS 3
ATLANTA — Chipper Jones singled home Brooks Conrad to break a 3-all tie in the bottom of the seventh and pinch-hitter Greg Norton added a run-scoring single in the eighth to lift Atlanta over New York.
Manny Acosta (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh, Peter Moylan retired the Mets in order in the eighth and Rafael Soriano earned his 13th save.
CUBS 6, NATIONALS 2
WASHINGTON — Rich Harden (6-6) allowed an unearned run and three hits over six innings, Derrek Lee homered and Chicago spoiled the debut of Washington interim manager Jim Riggleman.
The Nationals have lost seven of eight and own the majors' worst record at 26-62. Riggleman replaced the fired Manny Acta on Monday after serving as his bench coach the first half of the season.
ASTROS 3, DODGERS 0
LOS ANGELES — Manny Ramirez went 1 for 4 in his first game at Dodger Stadium since his 50-game suspension ended as Wandy Rodriguez (9-6) combined with four relievers on an eight-hitter to lead Houston.
Ramirez struck out twice while being welcomed back with cheers, chants of his name and camera flashes that sparkled around the stadium.
ROCKIES 10, PADRES 1
SAN DIEGO — Aaron Cook (9-3) gave up a run while scattering eight hits over six innings, Clint Barmes hit a three-run homer and Seth Smith added a two-run shot to lead Colorado over San Diego.
Cook continued his dominance over the Padres by getting out of two bases-loaded jams while only allowing one run. Cook raised his career record against the Padres to 13-4.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
INDIANS 4, MARINERS 1
CLEVELAND — Cliff Lee (5-9) won for the first time in more than a month, allowing one run and nine hits in his second complete game of the season as Cleveland beat Seattle.
Grady Sizemore, batting leadoff for the first time since May 16, had two hits and drove in a run for Cleveland.
ANGELS 6, A'S 2
OAKLAND, Calif. — Ervin Santana (2-5) gave up a run and three hits in eight innings to end a three-start losing streak, Kendry Morales hit a two-run homer and Los Angeles won its fourth straight.
Chone Figgins added a two-run double in a four-run fourth and Mike Napoli had a double among his three hits for the first-place Angels.