PHILADELPHIA, April 6 (UPI) -- Brett Myers allowed just four hits in six innings, but was outdueled
by Kris Benson as Pittsburgh rebounded from a 15-run drubbing to blank Philadelphia, 2-0.
Benson (2-0), the gave up six hits, walked one, and struck out six to improve to 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA in five career starts against the Phillies.
Benson, the top pick in the 1996 draft, threw 63 of 111 pitches for strikes.
Phillies first baseman Jim Thome went 0-for-4, ending his streak of reaching base safely at 60 straight games. It was the longest streak in the major leagues since Mark McGwire reached in 62 consecutive games from Sept. 16, 1995-June 18, 1996.
Thome also made a costly error, as he dropped Benson's popup with one out in the fifth inning. Thome still had a chance to get the out after picking the ball up, but Myers failed to cover first.
Kenny Lofton followed the error by beating out a bunt, and Myers walked Jason Kendall to load the bases. Brian Giles grounded into a forceout to plate Benson for a 1-0 lead before Aramis Ramirez grounded out to end the inning.
Myers (0-1), who made an appearance Tuesday in an extended spring training game, threw 62 of 101 pitches for strikes, and walked four batters. He had a career-high 11 strikeouts in this contest.
Mike Williams worked a perfect ninth inning for his third save in as many chances.
After Dan Plesac and Terry Adamas worked around a pair of hits in the seventh, rookie Eric Junge started the eighth for the Phillies. Kevin Young led off with a double to left-center, and one out, later stole third. Pokey Reese drove in Young with a single to right before Jack Wilson grounded into a double play.
Scott Sauerbeck replaced Benson and allowed consecutive singles to Jimmy Rollins and Placido Polanco. Rollins moved to third when Bobby Abreu flied out, but was unable to score as Thome hit a comebacker and Polanco was forced at second.
Brian Boehringer replaced Sauerbeck and struck out Pat Burrell to preserve the shutout.
Philadelphia had 19 hits in 16-1 victory on Saturday.
