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Myers Excelled Down Stretch

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: October 23, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Starting tonight's Game 2 of the World Series seems somewhat surreal to Philadelphia right-hander Brett Myers.

Three months ago, the 6-foot-4, 238-pound power pitcher toed the mound for Triple-A Lehigh Valley following a demotion to the minors by the Phillies despite spending the previous five seasons at the major-league level, four of them as a member of the starting rotation.

Yet by July, Myers - the No. 12 pick in the 1999 draft by Philadelphia - had struggled to a 3-9 record with a 5.84 ERA while allowing a National League-high 24 home runs at the time.

"I knew that I needed to go down and take responsibility for how I was pitching; I needed to get it right," Myers said. "In order for me to be successful I needed to figure things out, and I did."

After returning to the Phillies in late July, Myers went 7-4 with a 3.06 ERA to help Philadelphia win the NL East. Myers won each of his postseason starts, both Game 2 victories against Milwaukee in the NLDS and Los Angeles in the NLCS.

"He's just been a completely different pitcher since returning from the minors," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "He's made some good adjustments, and he's been throwing the ball much better. His command has been better and his attitude has definitely picked up and been better. He's more in control of himself."

Myers has played in big games in the Tampa Bay area before as a senior at Jacksonville Englewood. In the 1999 Class 4A semifinals held at Legends Field, Myers tossed a complete-game victory while striking out 12 against Daytona Beach Seabreeze in a 3-1 win. In the state title game against Monsignor Pace, he homered to help Englewood to an 8-3 victory.

Perhaps Manuel's only concern is that Myers' bat won't be in tonight's lineup after the pitcher went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored in his first two postseason starts. Because tonight's game is at Tropicana Field, the designated hitter is utilized.

"Somebody said the other day we should let Myers DH," Manuel joked. "I don't guess I've got that much nerve yet."

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835.

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