MLB | Moyer betters Unit in battle of oldest lefties

PHOENIX — With Arizona left-hander Randy Johnson on the mound, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel planned to give slumping slugger Ryan Howard a day off.

The plan changed in the seventh inning, with the bases loaded and the Phillies trailing by three runs. Arizona brought in right-hander Brandon Medders, and Howard greeted him with a pinch-hit grand slam to lead the Phillies to a 9-3 victory on Wednesday night.

Howard's shot gave Jamie Moyer (4-2) the victory in the matchup of the oldest lefties in history — the 44-year-old Moyer against Johnson, 43.

At a combined 88 years and 48 days, Johnson (43 years, 241 days) and Moyer (44 years, 172 days) — Mariners teammates from 1996 to 1998 — broke the record set April 24 when Johnson faced San Diego's David Wells. Johnson and Wells were a combined 87 years and 300 days.

Moyer and Johnson last faced each other on Sept. 21, 1989, in Texas.

Howard, who entered hitting .198, hit reliever Medders' (1-1) first pitch 371 feet into the right-field seats. It was the fourth grand slam of Howard's career.

"It was set up perfect, really, because once they brought the right-hander in he had to face a hitter," Manuel said. "I mean, that's exactly the matchup we wanted."

Oldest lefty matchup


88 years, 48 days

Combined age of starters Randy Johnson and Jamie Moyer in Wednesday's matchup

87 years, 300 days

Combined age of starters Johnson and San Diego's David Wells in April 24 game, the previous record

With the victory, the Phillies averted a three-game sweep by the Diamondbacks and wrapped up a 4-6 trip to Atlanta, San Francisco and Arizona.

"It's huge," Howard said. "We've been kind of up and down, trying to get a good end on this road trip. It helps us get out of here on a good note and get something started."

The Phillies hope the homer will signal an end to Howard's season-long slump.

"Ryan's going to be fine," Manuel said. "Ryan's special. He's been kind of fighting himself. This guy wants to do so good. When it's all said and done, he's going to have a tremendous year for us."

Striking out nine, including the first six men he faced, Johnson looked like the Big Unit who won five Cy Young awards. Johnson, who underwent back surgery last October, is still looking for his first victory in his return to Arizona after two frustrating seasons with the New York Yankees.

"I may have been the old Randy for six innings," Johnson said. "Then I just got old."

Still, Arizona manager Bob Melvin liked what he saw from Johnson.

"Great slider, good velocity on his fastball, had some edge, the whole bit," Melvin said. "He just pitched very well."

While Johnson was mowing down the Phillies, Moyer didn't let the Diamondbacks blow the game open. Pitching with his trademark efficiency, Moyer gave up three runs and six hits in seven innings. He had four strikeouts.

"I've seen Randy pitch my fair share of times," Moyer said. "You respect the pitcher that he is and the competitor that he is. I was able to keep it somewhat close."

Johnson outpitched his elder until the seventh, when he gave up a single to Aaron Roward, hit Chase Utley and walked Pat Burrell to load the bases with no outs. That's when Melvin summoned Medders, whose first delivery ended up in the seats.

"I was just coming in trying to look for something good in the zone, just trying to knock in some runs," Howard said. "It wound up going over the fence."