Moyer Takes On Lowly Pirates

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Philadelphia Phillies (41-36) at Pittsburgh Pirates (28-51)

Jamie Moyer, LHP (6-6, 4.30 ERA) vs. Ross Ohlendorf, RHP (0-6, 4.90 ERA)

The Pirates are a team that the Phillies should sweep, but with last night's 3-2 loss, they will have to settle with a series win, if in fact they can win the next two. Nothing is certain for the Phillies, especially with the amount of injuries.

Jamie Moyer continues to amaze at 47 years of age. In addition, a team like the Pirates are the exact types of teams he has success against: young, free swinging, impatient hitters.

On the other hand, Ross Ohlendorf has yet to win a game this year. Of course, he plays for the Pirates who have one of the worse records in baseball. Ohlendorf has had success against the Phillies throughout his career, but the Pirates haven't always backed him with defense or run run support.

Amazing Ninth Inning Comeback

As seen on Phillies Nation.

Over the years, the Phillies have taught us to never give up on them. We may not always listen, but even if they are down 5-0, they are capable of a big comeback.

Good start. Bad start. Good start. Bad start. That has been the pattern for Cole Hamels and Ross Ohlendorf. If the pattern continued, Hamels was due for a bad start, and the opposite for Ohlendorf. That was exactly what happened.

The Pirates took a 5-0 lead on home runs by Garrett Jones, Delwyn Young, and Andrew McCutchen. Cole Hamels’ line: 6 innings, 7 hits, five earned runs, no walks, six strikeouts. The long balls hurt him.

The Phillies didn’t get to Ohlendorf until the sixth inning. In his first start since coming off the disabled list, Raul Ibanez’s RBI double put the Phillies on the board. Greg Dobbs’ sacrifice fly and Paul Bako’s RBI single made it a 5-3 game. Ohlendorf’s line: 5.2 innings, five hits, three earned runs, four walks, five strikeouts.

The bullpen was not able to have a “shutdown inning” in the seventh. Chad Durbin loaded the bases (with the help of few mental mistakes by third basemen Dobbs), and Scott Eyre could not clean up his mess. The Pirates extended their lead, 7-3.

Trailing in the ninth, the Phillies had no chance against Matt Capps. It would take a miracle. Matt Stairs hit a meaningless home run. 7-4. But was it? The rally caps broke out and the fans rose to their feet. They didn’t sit for the remainder of the game.

Jimmy Rollins walked and Chase Utley singled. With one out and two on, Ryan Howard gave us all a preview of the Home Run Derby. His three-run home run tied the game at seven.

Ibanez followed with a double and Pedro Feliz singled. With runners at the corners and one out, Bako was due up, with Stairs on-deck. It was time for Bako to show why the Phillies kept him on the roster. Bako’s walk-off single scored Ibanez to cap off an unbelievable five-run ninth inning.

Bako was deservedly mobbed at first base by his teammates. The 8-7 come-from-behind win once again proved why to never give up on the Phightin’ Phils. Will Pittsburgh’s announcer be walking home tonight?

Hamels On Hill Vs. Pirates

For full gameday, visit Phillies Nation.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (38-48) are at the Philadelphia Phillies (46-38).

Ross Ohlendorf (7-7, 4.63 ERA) pitches vs. Cole Hamels (5-5, 4.70 ERA)

The Phillies turned it around during this homestand, winning seven of eight. Tonight, Cole Hamels and Ross Ohlendorf matchup. Both have been inconsistent his season.

Hamels hopes he can get half of the run support he received in his last start; 22 runs. That game he kept his pitch count low with 92 in seven innings. He did not walk a batter and gave up one run on three hits. Back-to-back great outings is important for Hamels. He faced the Pirates once in his career – in five innings, he allowed three runs.

Ohlendorf has also been inconsistent. He has fared well at times, only to follow it up with a subpar performance. He allowed five runs in his last start, which followed a seven inning shutout and a career high eight strikeouts. If the pattern continues, Ohlendorf should be good tonight. The Phillies don’t want that.

Amazing 9th Inning Comeback

Also seen on Phillies Nation.

Over the years, the Phillies have taught us to never give up on them. We may not always listen, but even if they are down 5-0, they are capable of a big comeback.

Good start. Bad start. Good start. Bad start. That has been the pattern for Cole Hamels and Ross Ohlendorf. If the pattern continued, Hamels was due for a bad start, and the opposite for Ohlendorf. That was exactly what happened.

The Pirates took a 5-0 lead on home runs by Garrett Jones, Delwyn Young, and Andrew McCutchen. Cole Hamels' line: 6 innings, 7 hits, five earned runs, no walks, six strikeouts. The long balls hurt him.

The Phillies didn't get to Ohlendorf until the sixth inning. In his first start since coming off the disabled list, Raul Ibanez's RBI double put the Phillies on the board. Greg Dobbs' sacrifice fly and Paul Bako's RBI single made it a 5-3 game. Ohlendorf's line: 5.2 innings, five hits, three earned runs, four walks, five strikeouts.

The bullpen was not able to have a "shutdown inning" in the seventh. Chad Durbin loaded the bases (with the help of few mental mistakes by third basemen Dobbs), and Scott Eyre could not clean up his mess. The Pirates extended their lead, 7-3.

Trailing in the ninth, the Phillies had no chance against Matt Capps. It would take a miracle. Matt Stairs hit a meaningless home run. 7-4. But was it? The rally caps broke out and the fans rose to their feet. They didn't sit for the remainder of the game.

Jimmy Rollins walked and Chase Utley singled. With one out and two on, Ryan Howard gave us all a preview of the Home Run Derby. His three-run home run tied the game at seven.

Ibanez followed with a double and Pedro Feliz singled. With runners at the corners and one out, Bako was due up, with Stairs on-deck. It was time for Bako to show why the Phillies kept him on the roster. Bako's walk-off single scored Ibanez to cap off an unbelievable five-run ninth inning.

Bako was deservedly mobbed at first base by his teammates. The 8-7 come-from-behind win once again proved why to never give up on the Phightin' Phils. Will Pittsburgh's announcer be walking home tonight?