Veteran lefty Jamie Moyer improves to 10-0 against Marlins

MIAMI — Against junkballer Jamie Moyer, those home-run swings the Florida Marlins like to take produced mostly feeble grounders and pop-ups.

Again.

The 45-year-old left-hander beat Florida for the 10th time in as many career starts, pitching six innings Friday night to help the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-2 victory.

All of Moyer's games against the Marlins have come in the past three years. He defeated them for the third time since June 1, and his earned-run average in five lifetime starts in Miami is 1.34.

Moyer became the first pitcher to sweep his first 10 starts against a team since Pedro Martinez won his first 12 against the Mariners from 1998 to 2004.

"I don't know how he does it at 45 years old," said Florida's Cody Ross, who went 0 for 3 to end a career-best 17-game hitting streak. "You see his 82 mph fastball, and it looks good to hit. But it's never down the center of the plate."

Moyer (9-6) outpitched Ricky Nolasco (10-5) as Philadelphia took over sole possession of first place in NL East and foiled the Marlins' bid to tighten the division race. The Phillies lead the New York Mets by one game and Florida by 2 ½.

"We just have to take care of our own business," Moyer said.

The Marlins lead the majors in home runs, but their four hits off the former Mariner were all singles.

"He's such a good pitcher, sometimes he can use a team's aggressiveness against them," said Brad Lidge, who finished Philadelphia's five-hitter with a perfect ninth. "Florida has a very aggressive team — they hit a lot of home runs. Jamie's style matches up good against them. He's such a master of what he's doing, he can see what they're swinging at and move it a couple of inches."

Florida almost managed a breakthrough off Moyer in the fourth when the Marlins loaded the bases with no outs. But Dan Uggla hit into a double play and Josh Willingham fouled out.

Moyer, who rarely topped 80 mph on the scoreboard radar gun, declined to offer an explanation for his domination of the Marlins.

"I don't have an answer. ... It's a matter of making pitches," he said.

Florida's futility against him seems chronic. Willingham is 1 for 18 against Moyer, Uggla is 2 for 24 and Ross is 3 for 25.

"He has our number," said Mike Jacobs of the Marlins. "We're going to face him a few more times this year. We have to find a way to turn the tables on him."