1, 2, 200, 255

Also seen on Phillies Nation.

It's been a while since Philadelphia Phillies fans had an opportunity to chant "RAUUUUL!" After a trip to the disabled list and the All Star Game, Raul Ibanez gave everybody a chance to clear their throats. It wasn't just Ibanez who made everybody stand up and cheer (even if it was just in their living rooms), but also Jamie Moyer's astounding performance.

As he typically does at LandShark (formerly Dolphins) Stadium, Moyer dazzled the Florida Marlins. He put on a clinic. Through four innings, Moyer faced the minimum. He surrendered only one hit in seven shutout innings. He walked one and struck out four in arguably his best start of the season.

Moyer was backed by two All Stars: Ibanez and Ryan Howard. Ibanez's opposite field two-run home run gave the Phillies a 2-0 lead in the second inning. In the fourth, Ibanez hit his 24th homer of the season, and the second of the game, extending the lead to three.

Then, there was Howard who was sitting on 199 career home runs. With one swing of the bat, Howard smoked a homer in the first row of the right field seats for his 200th career home run. In his 658th game, he became the fastest player to reach 200 home runs, surpassing Ralph Kiner, who did it in 706. He is also the eighth Phillie to reach the 200 home run milestone.

Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero each combined for two hitless innings out of the bullpen. It is the first time since 1986 that the Phillies pitchers combined to throw a one-hitter.

One: the number of hits the Phillies pitching allowed combined. Two home runs by Ibanez. 200 career home runs for Howard. All were necessary in Moyer's 255th career win.

The Phillies have won six in a row and ten of their last 11. In addition, they extended their lead over the second-place Marlins to five games. It is one game, but a nice way to start the second half of the year. This is when they tend to pick it up.

Call of the Day: In the 1993 NLCS, Kim Batiste came in for defense. However, he made an error which led to a tie game. But, he got it back.

"Ground ball to third. It might be two.. Wide throw by Batiste to
right field and safe all around."

"Swing.. a hard ground ball. Base hit! Base hit! Down the left field
line! Kruk scores! Phils win! 4-3 on the RBI hit by Kim Batiste. What
a big win and game one by the Phightin Phils!"

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Philadelphia Phillies (48-38) at Florida Marlins (46-44)

Jamie Moyer (8-6, 5.99 ERA) vs. Chris Volstad (6-8, 4.44 ERA)

After the All Star Game and a long, miserable, baseball-less Wednesday, Phillies baseball finally returns! The Phillies will be sending their Fish killer, Jamie Moyer to the mound.

In 14 career starts against the Marlins, Moyer is 12-2 with a 3.06 ERA. At Dolphins (now Land Shark) Stadium, Moyer is 7-0 with a 1.58 earned run average. Moyer's counterpart, Chris Volstad, has had success against the Phillies throughout his short career. In five starts, he is 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA. Phillies batters are collectively batting .204 against him.

Moyer is coming off a start where he allowed six runs in five innings. On the other hand, Volstad is coming off his first career shutout.

Due to the break, both teams received much needed rest. After a 9-1 homestand to end the first half, the Phillies look to start the second half with a bang.

Taylor Promoted, Knapp DL'd

As seen on Phillies Nation.

Top prospect Michael Taylor has been promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 23 year old batted .333 with 15 home runs and 65 runs batted in with Double-A Reading. In addition, he had an on-base plus slugging percentage of .977.

In other minor league transactions, Jason Knapp has been placed on the seven-day disabled list with shoulder fatigue. Knapp is 2-7 with a 4.01 ERA. He is eligible to come off the disabled this weekend, but will likely miss another week.

A Day Without Baseball

Doesn't today just absolutely stink. No baseball. At all. It makes me wonder how I survive the off season.

The Phillies introduced Pedro Martinez today.

Fenway will host the 2010 Winter Classic, which has nothing to do with baseball. Citi Field will host the 2013 All Star Game and Citizens Bank Park probably won't host one until 2026.

Other than that, nothing happened in the baseball world.

I'm already having separation anxiety from the Phillies. Yeah, this post was completely necessary.

Mascot MVP

First we set our rosters. Then, the mascots played a full nine inning All Star Game. What's next? Well, it isn't an All Star Game without a most valuable player.

IRONPIGPEN: The Pork Stops Here! named the Minor League Mascot's MVP. Even though the Minors lost, 7-6, the MLB Mascots wanted to show good sportsmanship and recognize their best player, the Pawtucket Red Sox's Paws. Despite his ejection, he pitched 7.2 hitless.

The MLB Mascot's named their MVP the Phillie Phanatic. The Phanatic hit a big grand slam in the eighth inning, cutting the Minors League's lead to two. The Phanatic finished the night 1-for-3 with a walk. He also made a fantastic diving play in the fifth inning, robbing Spikes of the Rochester Red Wings of a hit. In addition, it potentially saved a run.

The Phanatic celebrated with his second favorite past time, dancing.

American League Wins Again

The National League lost for the twelfth time since 1996. With the 4-3 win, the American League will gain home field advantage during the World Series.

The American League took a 2-0 lead in the first inning off Tim Lincecum. Lincecum was backed by poor defense. The NL had three chances for a double play, but Albert Pujols made an error and David Wright made a bad throw. Also, nobody covered first base on a relay from short.

The NL got it back in the second inning. David Wright blooped a single off Roy Halladay and Shane Victorino (1-for-2, R) singled. Yadier Molina's two run double tied the game at two.

Prince Fielder's pinch hit double gave the NL a 3-2 lead in the second. However, Joe Mauer tied the game at three in the fifth with a RBI double of his own.

In the seventh inning, it looked like Brad Hawpe had tied the game. But Carl Crawford robbed Hawpe of a home run, leaping and reaching over the fence. It was Barry Bonds/Torii Hunter-like.

In the top of the eighth inning, Curtis Granderson led off with a triple. He scored on Adam Jones' sacrifice fly to give the AL a 4-3 lead.

With two on and two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Ryan Howard (0-for-1, SO) had a chance to tie the game, or possibly give the National League the lead. Joe Nathan struck him out on a check swing.

Mariano Rivera complete the save, his fourth in All Star Game history. The game lasted only 2 hours and 31 minutes, the fastest All Star Game since 1988 (2:26). Carl Crawford was named the MVP after his fantastic, game-saving catch.

Here are how the rest of the Phillies fared:

Chase Utley: 0-for-2 (groundout, fly out). He made a couple spectacular plays at second base.
Raul Ibanez: 0-for-2 (groundout, pop up)
Jayson Werth: 0-for-1 (strikeout). Made a fantastic catch in centerfield.

All Star Game Preview

The American League (36-41-2) will play the National League (41-36-2) tonight at Busch Stadium.

NL Lineup: Hanley Ramirez (SS)/ Chase Utley (2B)/ Albert Pujols (1B)/ Braun (RF)/ Raul Ibanez (LF)/ David Wright (3B)/ Shane Victorino (CF)/ Yadier Molina (C)/ Tim Lincecum (P).

AL Lineup: Ichiro Suzuki (RF)/Derek Jeter (SS)/ Joe Mauer (C)/ Mark Teixeira (1B)/ Jason Bay (LF)/ Josh Hamilton (CF)/ Evan Longoria (3B)/Aaron Hill (2B)/Roy Halladay (P).

Many of the best players in baseball meet up for the 80th Mid-Summer Classic! Charlie Manuel will be coaching the National League. Phillies managers are 5-0 all time in All Star Games. Manuel will look to make it 6-0 and stop the American League's streak of 11 consecutive wins (plus one tie).

There are five Phillies on the NL roster; starters Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, and reserves Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth. The last time the Phillies had five All Stars was in 1995.

This one counts.