By Sam Bush
Even a team as awful as the 2014 Phillies can make the record book in a positive way.
Jerome Williams pitched the Phillies to a 3-0 victory at Oakland on Saturday, making the right-hander the first pitcher since at least 1900 to have at least one win against the same opponent with three different teams in the same season, according to STATS.
“I’ve been aware of it since I knew I was going to pitch against these guys,” Williams said. “That is crazy. For one, you would never think that you would face the same team. Obviously I was with the AL West so I knew I was going to face them, but coming over to the Phillies in interleague play, you didn’t think you were going to face the team again. It’s a good feat.”
Freddy Galvis hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning against Dan Otero (8-2), and Marlon Byrd added an RBI single in the eighth.
No. 9 hitter Galvis reached double digits in RBIs.
“As soon as I hit it, I knew it was a gapper. I tried to run fast. Then I saw it was gone,” Galvis said. “You’re happy when you put your team in that position.”
Williams allowed four hits, struck out three and walked one in seven innings. The right-hander was 0-2 with a 4.08 ERA in his previous three starts. He was aided by double plays in the second and fifth innings.
Oakland lost for the seventh time in 10 games, again failing to support its starting pitcher. The A’s squandered a bases-loaded chance in the second when Derek Norris grounded into an inning-ending double play.
“Jerome doesn’t really give in, so he’s going to give you something over the outer part of the plate,” Norris said.
Drew Pomeranz gave the A’s all they hoped for from him in a spot start, allowing one hit and walking two in five scoreless innings. Manager Bob Melvin expected him to throw between 75-80 pitches and he finished at 86.
Pomeranz escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first and retired 10 straight batters from there.
Ken Giles became only the second Phillies pitcher to earn a save this season, finishing the four-hitter on his 24th birthday for his first career save. Suspended closer Jonathan Papelbon has the other 37.
“It’s awesome. I’m going to remember it forever,” Giles said. “I’ve been waiting for my time to come. I’m blessed that I got the opportunity to get it on my birthday.”
The Phils earned just its third win in eight games at the Coliseum and improved to 2-4 on its final road trip of the year.
