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For Moyer, it never gets old

Dillon Moyer securely placed the ball inside the front pocket of his hooded sweatshirt. Dad didn't look overly excited on the field after becoming the oldest pitcher to throw a complete-game shutout, but he made sure to take the ball from catcher Carlos Ruiz, and gave it to his eldest son.

Phillies' pitcher Jamie Moyer threw a two-hit shutout against the Braves.  (Yong Kim / Staff Photographer)
Phillies' pitcher Jamie Moyer threw a two-hit shutout against the Braves. (Yong Kim / Staff Photographer)Read more

Dillon Moyer securely placed the ball inside the front pocket of his hooded sweatshirt. Dad didn't look overly excited on the field after becoming the oldest pitcher to throw a complete-game shutout, but he made sure to take the ball from catcher Carlos Ruiz, and gave it to his eldest son.

This was history. Jamie Moyer, 47 years and 170 days old, two-hit the Atlanta Braves with ease. The Phillies won, 7-0.

"I had fun," Moyer said. "I probably had forgotten what that's like. It hasn't happened a whole lot in my career."

When informed he had made history, Moyer was nonchalant about it. "Cool," he said. "Just doing my job."

(Meanwhile, he had the Phillies pull a few game balls and authenticate them to keep for the family. And on Saturday, the Hall of Fame will likely call asking for some artifacts from the game.)

These are the kinds of nights when it's reasonable to wonder how long Moyer can actually keep pitching. He has defied almost every age boundary of modern baseball - the oldest to do that, the oldest to do this.

"I never really thought about it that way," Moyer said. "This kind of stuff pushes me. I enjoy this. This is what it's about."

The previous oldest pitcher to ever throw a complete-game shutout was Phil Niekro, who was 46 years, 188 days old with the Yankees when he shut out the Blue Jays in 1985.

Moyer passed him by nearly a full year.

It was Moyer's first nine-inning complete game since June 30, 2006, when he was a member of the Seattle Mariners. He pitched a seven-inning complete game for the Phillies in an outing shortened by rain on July 27, 2007.

He is the first pitcher in baseball history to throw shutouts in four different decades. The first one he threw was 24 years ago on Aug. 16, 1986. ("Hmm. That's a few years ago," Moyer said.)

On Friday, Moyer faced one batter over the minimum. He allowed just two singles - both to Troy Glaus.

"That's impressive regardless of how old you are," righthander Roy Halladay said. For the record, Halladay said he will be fishing when he is 47 years old.

Moyer began the ninth with 96 pitches thrown. Nate McLouth popped out to third. Pinch-hitter Eric Hinske grounded out to first.

The sellout crowd rose and began chanting, "Jamie! Jamie! Jamie!"

Omar Infante grounded out to shortstop to end the game on Moyer's 105th pitch of the night. Ruiz raised his fist in the air, but Moyer barely flinched. He hugged Ruiz and patted the catcher on the head.

After Moyer threw 14 pitches in the first two innings - including a three-pitch second inning, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel thought he was in for a good night.

"I said, 'Hey man, he has a chance to get through seven innings tonight,' " Manuel recalled. "He fooled me. He went nine."

At one point, Moyer retired 17 straight Atlanta batters. Of course, Atlanta has struggled mightily to score of late. Missing regulars Brian McCann, Yunel Escobar and Jason Heyward from the starting lineup, Atlanta cobbled together a light-hitting group. Only one starter, second baseman Martin Prado, was hitting over .300 coming into the game.

Moyer said none of the opposing hitters ever looked confused. But he toyed with them - even pitching aggressively inside to righties. The hardest pitch he threw was an 83-m.p.h. fastball.

Manuel said Moyer always tells him if he can hit his spots, he will get guys out. Sounds about right.

"I felt like I changed speeds pretty well," Moyer said. "I kept the ball down. I had a decent curveball. I got ahead in a lot of counts."

Phils rightfielder Jayson Werth provided the pop, hitting a three-run home run for the second straight day. The Phillies chased Atlanta starter Derek Lowe after five innings. He allowed seven runs on 11 hits.

Three of Moyer's eight children were in the clubhouse playing catch (not with the game ball) after the game. Two more children and wife Karen waited outside.

Moyer said he normally has sleepless nights after he pitches, regardless of the outcome. He will replay the game in his mind and wonder what could have been different.

There isn't much he would change about Friday. And one day - however long into the future it may be - Moyer said he will be able to fully appreciate what happened at Citizens Bank Park.

"I feel like there is plenty of time when I retire," Moyer said, "to reflect on things."

Complete Gems

Here is the list of the oldest pitchers to have thrown a complete-game shutout:

1. Jamie Moyer, Phillies, 47 years, 170 days old. April 7, 2010, 7-0 over Atlanta.

2. Phil Niekro, Yankees, 46 years, 188 days, Oct. 6, 1985, 8-0 over Toronto.

3. Charlie Hough, Marlins, 46 years, 160 days, June 14, 1994, 7-0 over St. Louis.

4. Satchel Paige, Browns, 46 years, 75 days, Sept. 20, 1952, 4-0 over Chicago White Sox

5. Satchel Paige, Browns, 46 years, 30 days, Aug. 6, 1952, 1-0 over Detroit.

Others of note: Jack Quinn, Philadelphia A's, 45 years, 76 days, 1928; Jack Quinn, A's, 45 years, 40 days, 1928; Phil Niekro, Yankees, 45 years, 23 days, 1984; Gaylord Perry, Royals, 44 years, 353 days, 1983.

SOURCE: Baseball ReferenceEndText