Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 1, 2010 ) Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 3
Another day, another injury for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Backup catcher Brian Schneider hyperextended his left thumb and exited Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning.
With usual starter Carlos Ruiz (concussion) one of seven Phillies already on the disabled list, the beleaguered team will need to rely on Dane Sardinha for its catching duties.
Such is life for the two-time defending National League champions as of late.
Four-time All-Star second baseman Chase Utley (thumb) and veteran infielder Placido Polanco (elbow) were the latest stars to hit the disabled list. Utley is expected to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks while Polanco could be out for 3-4 weeks.
Well, with enough dreary news dominating the headlines, Philadelphia can turn its attention to a positive story in the name of Jamie Moyer (9-6, 4.30 ERA).
The 47-year-old left-hander will search for his 10th win of the season when he guides the Phillies (41-36) into the second of a four-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates (28-51) on Friday.
Moyer's career accomplishments read as long as a John Isner-Nicolas Mahut tennis match at Wimbledon.
The veteran became the 40th pitcher in history to throw 4,000 or more innings in Sunday's 11-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. He made one mistake - which resulted in his 506 career home run to claim sole possession of ... um, first place from Hall of Famer Robin Roberts.
History aside, Moyer has won his last three starts and four of his last five. With nine wins, he is tied with former Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay for the team lead.
Winning would be a welcome change for Pittsburgh starter Ross Ohlendorf (0-6, 4.90 ERA).
The 27-year-old right-hander hasn't tasted victory in 11 starts this season, but a winless season didn't stop fellow Pirates hurler Daniel McCutchen from notching his first triumph of the season on Thursday.
Rookies Jose Tabata and Pedro Alvarez aided in his cause by adding run-scoring hits to pace Pittsburgh to its second win in a row after dropping 19 of its previous 22 contests.
Ohlendorf pitched well enough to win his last outing, permitting two runs and two hits in six innings, but he received a no-decision after the Oakland Athletics rallied to a 3-2 win on Sunday.
For its part, Philadelphia has received a boost from utility infielder Wilson Valdez, who is playing in place of Utley. The 32-year-old Valdez has belted two home runs in his last three games - including a solo shot in Thursday's contest.
Meanwhile, established stars Jayson Werth and Ryan Howard are struggling at the plate. Werth has failed to record an RBI in seven straight games and Howard doesn't have one in five consecutive contests.