Phillies-Rays: Chase Utley, John Mayberry Pound Tampa Bay 10-1
June 24, 2009 by chris difrancesco
Filed under Fan News
It’s one of the more puzzling stories of the 2009 Philadelphis Phillies—the fact that they dominate on the road, yet can’t buy a win at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies pushed their road record to 24-9 after an absolute drubbing of the defending American League champion Tampa Bay Rays, beating them 10-1.
The Phillies offense blasted off early and often in the top of the first. Rays’ starter David Price surrendered six runs, highlighted by a three-run homer from John Mayberry Jr. Chase Utley had a two-run double, and Ryan Howard smacked an RBI double.
Charlie Manuel spoke on the importance of having Howard back in the lineup.
“It gives us a four-hole hitter who hits 48 to 60 home runs a year,” said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “That’s what it gives us. I don’t know where we’d go to replace him.”
Utley continued his hit brigade, and in the fourth inning, his Price was right when he smacked a two-run homer to right-center to make it an even 10-0.
Jamie Moyer shut down the off-balance Rays the entire game en route to his 251st victory.
Moyer allowed just one run while allowing three walks and striking out four in six innings to sure up the win.
“You’re looking at Jamie, who’s been around, throwing 80 mph, carving us up,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “And then you’ve got the young left-hander who’s throwing 93to 94 [mph] and having a hard time. Baseball’s a beautiful game.”
“You know what you’ve got going into the game (against Moyer),” Rays third basemen Evan Longoria said. “He throws it just a little bit below hitting speed, and that’s just something you have to plan for.”
“I think he was pretty much vintage Jamie Moyer tonight. He made the pitches when he needed to. And he just kept us off-balance.”
Last night was the club’s first win since June 14, and today is a whole new day. The Phils have to do the same thing and hope their pitching does the job.
Joe Blanton will square off against Matt Garza tonight at the Trop.
Quotes: Phillies