On the Hill...
Washington and Philadelphia have split the first two of three, so this one's a rubber match with the Nationals' lefty Matt Chico on the mound, as a starter again, against "Old Man Jamie Moyer and His Bag of Slow Tricks". Chico (0-5, 6.07 ERA) makes his first start since May 3rd in Pittsburgh, and his eigth start of '08 is the 38th start of his career, while "Old Man" Moyer (3-3, 4.89) made his 38th career start sometime in the late summer of 1987, when Matt Chico was all of four years old.
Chico's (1-0) in 3 starts against the Phillies early in his MLB career, allowing 16 hits in 16 innings, 8 ER's, 2 HR's and 7 walks with 10 K's and a 5.06 ERA against Philadelphia. The Nationals' sophomore left-hander faced Philly in the second game of the season on March 31st, but Chico didn't get the decision in DC's 11-6 victory, which was decided by the Nationals' five-run ninth. Chico lasted 5.1 innings that night, giving up 6 hits, 3 runs, and 1 HR to Chase Utley.
Jamie Moyer's taken the mound against the Expos/Nationals 16 times, 15 as a starter, and he's amassed a (6-4) record and a 3.16 ERA in 88.1 innings pitched, over which he's surrendered 98 hits, 31 ER's, 6 HR's and 24 walks with 63 K's. The Nationals got to Moyer early earlier this season though, knocking him and his bag of slow tricks out after just 3.2 innings pitched with 9 hits and 6 runs, 3 earned, in a game Washington would eventually win 8-7.
Moyer's won 2 of his last 4 starts. Chico's given up 1 run in 6.1 innings in relief. Moyer's 45. Chico's 24. Moyer's 6'0''. Chico's 5'11...Who's got the slower stuff?
Nationals' #'s Against Jamie Moyer...
Jesus Flores - 2 for 6, .333 AVG, 2 2B, 1 RBI.
Aaron Boone - 2 for 14, 143 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI's.
Cristian Guzman - 9 for 31, .290 AVG, 4 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI's.
DY - 6 for 20, .300 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI.
Ryan Zimmerman - 8 for 31, .258 AVG, 2 HR's, 2 RBI's.
Lastings Milledge - 3 for 8, .375 AVG, 1 2B.
HEY CHICO! Watch out for these Phillies...
Chase Utley - 4 for 7, .571 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI's.
Geoff Jenkins - 1 for 3, .333 AVG, 1 HR, 3 RBI's.
Jayson Werth - 2 for 3, .667 AVG, 2 2B.
NEWS AND NOTES...
The Nationals called up right-handed reliever Chris Schroder (Again!) when Ronnie Belliard was placed on the 15-Day DL with a strained left calf.
According to Washington Post Staff Writer Chico Harlan, the reason the Nationals replaced Ronnie Bellliard with a reliever (the aforementioned Schroder) instead of an infielder was the exemplary play of one Willie Harris. Mr. Harlan quotes Nationals' Manager Manny Acta in his article entitled, "Versatile Harris Moves In While Belliard's Out", in which Mr. Acta states, (rather matter of factly):
"We're fortunate to have a guy like Willie Harris who can play everywhere."
Last night's loss dropped the Nationals to 10-11 in games at Nationals Park.
Check the NatCast if you're heading to Nationals Park...
Game time, once again, is 7:10 pm EST...Moyer vs Chico, Philly vs DC, The Rubber Match, Third of three before Washington welcomes the famous Brewers from Mila-waw-kay...(ed. note - "So that means gobble up those Philly cheesesteaks, cause Friday it's Sheboygan Brattt!!!")