Myers says he's 'back on track,' set to rejoin Phillies

VIERA, Fla. - His four-game minor league tour now behind him, Brett Myers is ready to prove he's "back on track."

The righthander pitched 6 2/3 innings for the Clearwater Threshers in Game 1 of last night's Florida State League doubleheader against the Brevard County Manatees. Myers allowed two earned runs, struck out six and walked one in the 3-2 loss. Minor league doubleheaders are limited to seven innings per game and Myers allowed the winning run with two outs in the seventh inning. So he earned a complete game - and the loss.

"I felt great. I threw a lot of fastballs, which is what I set out to do," Myers said. "Minor leagues usually are very good fastball hitting leagues - all the way up from A-ball to Triple A, and that's why I wanted to come down, to prove that I could throw my fastball and get people out and not rely on my offspeed stuff."

Myers made four minor league starts since he was sent to Triple A Lehigh Valley on July 1 - two with the IronPigs, one with Double A Reading and last night's with Clearwater. His numbers: 1-3, 3.00 ERA, 28 strikeouts and seven walks in 27 innings.

Following the game, he traveled to Miami to rejoin the Phillies, who played the first of a three-game series against the Marlins. Myers is expected to start Wednesday's game in New York against the Mets.

"I feel ready - especially today," Myers said. "I was locating my fastball more than I have been in the past. We'll see what happens. Hopefully, I can do it on Wednesday."

Manatees centerfielder Darren Ford tested Myers right out of the gate. The leadoff hitter pushed Myers to a 12-pitch at-bat, then lined a single to centerfield.

Ford, who leads the Florida State League with 48 steals, swiped second, went to third on a sacrifice and scored the game's first run on a sacrifice fly.

Brevard County added an unearned run off Myers in the third. The game-winner came with two outs in the seventh. Jimmy Mojica hit a sacrifice fly to leftfield, scoring Stephen Chapman.

Myers retired the side in order in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings. He threw only four pitches in the fifth.

"I think I'm back on track," Myers said. "I'm ready to go and finish the second half and get 10 wins for the team, hopefully - that's my goal."

Myers returns to the parent club with a 3-9 record and a 5.84 ERA. *