After the Mets win at Cincinnati the day before the Phillies began post All-Star game play in a tie for first place in the N.L. Eastern Division.  Opening the second half in Florida the mound assignment went to 45 year old veteran Jamie Moyer.

 Moyer began the game with an undefeated record against the Marlins.  The pitching craftsman has frustrated the young Marlin hitters in games past by using their aggressiveness against them forcing them to hit pitches in spots where only outs can be produced.

 This game started no different as Moyer sat down the Marlins in order thru the first three frames.  Meanwhile he was staked to a lead on Ryan Howard’s 29^th home run of the year. Howard belted a solo home run in the second inning.  Pat Burrell continued his hot hitting as he doubled and was plated by a Pedro Feliz single.  The Phillies added to their lead in the third and fourth frames as Jimmy Rollins doubled and scored on a Chase Utley single in the third and Geoff Jenkins hit a long solo home run to center field in the fourth.

 The Marlins scored two in the fourth frame as RBI’s were credited to Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla. The Marlins actually had the bases loaded with no outs but Moyer was able to limit the damage to only the two runs.  Moyer pitched six complete innings giving the Fightins a quality start as he exited with a 4-2 lead.

 Chad Durbin and J.C. Romero earned holds as they combined to pitch the seventh and eighth innings allowing no runs to score.  Brad Lidge converted his 21^st save as he pitched a perfect ninth inning.  Jamie Moyer earned his 9^th win of the season and improved his record to 10 and 0 against the Marlins.  The Mets lost to the Reds therefore the Fightins regained sole possession of first place in the division.

 Chatter

 Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that the Phillies had recent interest in making a blockbuster deal with the Rockies that would involve acquiring All-Star outfielder Matt Holiday and pitcher Brian Fuentes.  Recent word is that GM Pat Gillick has convinced ownership to expand the salary limits so it is not unfeasible that those discussions had real intent.  Rosenthal’s article states that talks have stagnated for the moment and it is unclear that they would resume.  If a deal of this magnitude would come to fruition a resounding WOW would be my reaction as it would be a significant indication that the Fightins are for real in trying to bring home a World Series title!