Jamie Moyer’s Milestone on Hold Again: Dodgers Beat Phils 9-2

Jamie Moyer‘s 250th career victory continues to elude him. Moyer lost in his second attempt for the milestone after things fell apart in the fourth inning as the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers pounded the Phillies with a 9-2 defeat.

Moyer was charged with seven runs in just 4.1 innings of work. He gave up eight hits which included three doubles and one pop fly ball home run ball, which scored three runs itself. This game was actually Moyer’s third attempt for his 250th win.

He received a no decision in his first attempt against the Mets, took the loss in his second try in New York, and was pegged with the loss last night. Is he frustrated?

“I don’t really feel frustrated,” said Moyer, who was battling a cold. “I’m not making the pitches that I’d like to be making. I think early in my career I pitched frustrated. It didn’t work. So I try to put win or lose behind me and move forward.

“Every mistake I’ve made has gotten hit hard. It’s more or less how I’m feeling. Good pitches have gotten hit, but I feel like the mistakes that I’m making I’m being punished for. I’ve got to be mistake-free.”

Phillies.com via Todd Zolecki

Things started off well for Moyer, who got through the first three innings unscathed. Perhaps the Dodgers should be given credit for making adjustments on Moyer in the fourth inning, the second time around the lineup. The fourth inning was reminiscent of Moyer’s effort in game three of the 2008 NLCS when the Dodgers were hitting the ball everywhere off of the veteran pitcher.

Whether or not Moyer snaps out of it remain to be seen. It is unlikely he will be taken out of the rotation and will be given every opportunity to play through his struggles.

Meanwhile on offense Jimmy Rollins played his second straight game in the fifth spot of the lineup. In the spot he went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, which gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the second inning.

While the thought process of having Rollins batting fifth was to give him more RBI opportunities, he had very little to work with in front of him. Only Jayson Werth out of the top four recorded a hit. He also walked twice, and Chase Utley once. Ryan Howard struck out twice.

Picking up the win was former Phillies pitcher Randy Wolf, who threw six innings of three hit ball. Wolf walked three but struck out eight to earn his second win of the year. He also lowered his ERA to 2.77.

The Phillies and Dodgers complete their three game set this afternoon when Cole Hamels faces Chad Billingsley. Don’t forget to join the live blog today, starting at 12:30pm. Sign up for an e-mail reminder in the box to the right on the site.