Phils' Durbin go-to guy in clutch spots

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Phils' Durbin go-to guy in clutch spots
Philadelphia (48-39) vs. New York (42-44), Sat., 7:05 p.m. ET

PHILADELPHIA -- On Friday, for the second time in three nights, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel needed to bring in a reliever with the bases loaded. Both times, Manuel turned to Chad Durbin.
The right-hander did not disappoint either time. He entered in the fifth inning of Friday's game to strike out the Mets' Carlos Beltran, ending what had been a two-run inning against starter J.A. Happ. Durbin remained in the game for 2 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out six of the seven batters he faced.

Durbin is becoming Manuel's go-to pitcher in clutch situations. He has inherited 15 runners in scoring position this season, more than any other Phillies reliever. Durbin has allowed only five of those runners to score.

"It makes it more comfortable each time you're in one," Durbin said of bases-loaded situations. "[Reliever Tom Gordon] has told me numerous times that you [pretend] it's 2-0 on a guy. You have to make a pitch."

When Brett Myers was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday and the Phillies needed a starter to replace him in the rotation, Durbin looked like a viable option. Pitching for the Tigers last year, Durbin made 19 starts. In that role, he was 6-7 with a 4.88 ERA.

Instead, the Phillies called up Happ, allowing Durbin to continue to help a bullpen that has thrived all season. In Wednesday's game against the Braves, Durbin got Jeff Francoeur to ground into a double play with the bases loaded in the sixth. He then struck out Mark Kotsay to end the inning.

Pitching matchup
PHI: LHP Jamie Moyer (7-6, 4.13 ERA)
Moyer, who will pitch on an extra day of rest, lost his third straight start Sunday when he allowed three runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Rangers. He struck out six and walked four. Moyer has been uncharacteristically wild in his past three starts, issuing 10 walks. But he has also struck out 19 in that span. The veteran left-hander took a loss April 19 against the Mets, giving up two runs on seven hits in six innings.

NYM: RHP John Maine (8-6, 3.86 ERA)
Four consecutive Cardinals reached base to open Maine's most recent outing in St. Louis on Monday, and three fielding errors also conspired against him. By the time Maine's night was through, he had allowed five runs -- three of them earned -- on seven hits and three walks. He lasted four innings and 81 pitches. Maine battled similar control problems the last time he faced the Phillies, walking five in six innings. But the Mets won that game, and Maine improved to 4-0 with a 2.05 lifetime ERA against the Phils.

Tidbits
The Phillies' recently signed first-round Draft pick, shortstop Anthony Hewitt, will attend Saturday's game against the Mets. Hewitt, 19, hit .536 for the Salisbury (Conn.) School this season. ... Kris Benson made his second start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, facing the Pawtucket Red Sox. The Red Sox got to Benson for six runs in an outing that lasted five innings. He allowed six runs on nine hits, including two home runs, while walking two and striking out two. ... Ryan Howard has a seven-game hitting streak, and has driven in a run in five of his past six games. ... Pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco has been diagnosed with "mild soreness" in his right shoulder. He had been scratched from his Double-A start Wednesday, and he'll likely have his next start pushed back a few days.