Rain Delay Specialist Earns the Victory

As seen on Phillies Nation.

Call him the "Rain Delay Specialist." It was deja vu for Jamie Moyer, who relieved after Pedro Marinez's start was shortened due to rain. Thanks to Moyer, two Ryan Howard home runs, and a 1-2-3 Brad Lidge save, the Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves, 4-2.

After Martinez completed two scoreless frames, Howard hit an opposite field home run through the rain drops. With the rain falling at a steady pace, the tarp rolled out. After a brief delay, the tarp was removed even though it was raining heavier. The remainder of the inning was finished, but the tarp was put back on. A total of one hour and 48 minutes were delayed because of inclement weather.

Rain continued to fall throughout the evening, but not enough to pause play. Out of the bullpen, Moyer did his job. He pitched 4.1 innings, allowing one run on Matt Diaz's RBI double. He gave up four hits and struck out five. Since being demoted to the bullpen, Moyer has given up one run in 10.1 innings. He has struck out ten and hasn't walked a batter.

Howard (3-for-3) homered again, his 37th of the year. This time it was a two-run shot to center field. Pedro Feliz added a RBI bloop single in the seventh inning. With a 4-1 lead, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge would have to close it out.

Ryan Madson got into a jam. He surrendered one run after allowing three hits and a walk. Adam LaRoche flied out for the final out of the inning, and the birthday boy escaped the bases loaded threat. There was only hope that Lidge would not blow his Major League leading tenth blown save.

With two quick outs, Lidge fell behind 2-0 to Diaz. He came back firing. Diaz chased the 2-2 slider, ending the game. Lidge secured his 26th save of the year. The win over the Braves extended the Phillies lead in the division to eight games.