Brett Myers at a loss to explain anemic fastball (RR)

And falling behind in the bloody count ain’t helping either!

The fastball that made Brett Myers a first-round draft pick in 1999 is nowhere to be found. The pitch that hit 95 m.p.h. suddenly cannot break 88 m.p.h. That is a concern for Myers and the Phillies, who finished 5-2 on their seven-game road trip after Myers lasted just five innings in a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday at PNC Park.

“He’s supposed to be one of our aces,” manager Charlie Manuel said.

“I’m lost,” Myers said. “I’m lost throwing 88 m.p.h. I’m thinking I’m still a fastball pitcher because I usually am. I usually establish my fastball early in the game. I’ve always been that guy. I’ve always done that. But right now I’m going to other crap earlier than I want to.

“Usually if I’m behind in the count 2-1 or 3-1, I’m never pitching backward. Right now I’m pitching backward.”

...Said Myers: “It’s not like I’m hurting. It’s not like it’s aching. It’s not like I can’t throw or anything like that. I’ve had times where it is barking and still go out there and throw 92, 93 [m.p.h.]. But right now it just isn’t coming out. It’s like doo-doo going up there.”