The Phils rally in the bottom of the eight, scoring five runs, on their way to sweeping the Astros, winning 6-5.
Ryan Howard’s thirteenth-career grand slam caps a five-run eighth inning as the Phils come from behind to sweep the Astros, winning by the score of 6-5.
The Astros took the lead in the top of the first inning as, with one man on, and with one man out, Chris Carter hits a two-run home run, his twenty-third home run of the season, knocking in Jason Castro, who had just walked, giving the Astros a 2-0 lead. The Astros made it a 3-0 lead one batter later as Marc Krauss followed with a solo home run, his sixth home run of the season. The Phils got a run back in the bottom of the second inning as, with two men on, and with one man out, Carlos Ruiz hits an RBI single, knocking in Marlon Byrd, who had earlier singled, then moved up to second base on Gary Sizemore’s single, making it a 3-1 Astros’ lead, while sending Sizemore, who had just singled, up to second base. The Astros’ increased their lead in the top of the third inning as, with one man on, and with nobody out, Carter hits a two-run home run, his twenty-fourth home run of the season, and his second two-run home run of the night, knocking in Castro, who has started the inning of with a single, giving the Astros a 5-1 lead. The Phils then rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning as, with a runner on second, and with no one out, Cody Asche hits an RBI single, knocking in Ruiz, who had started the inning off with a double, making it a 5-2 Astros’ lead. The Phils then took the lead five batters later as, with the bases now loaded, via singles by Ben Revere, sending Asche up to second base, and by Jimmy Rollins, moving up both runners, and with two men out, Ryan Howard hits a grand-slam home run, his eighteenth home run of the season, knocking in Asche, Revere and Rollins, giving the Phils a 6-5 lead. That would end up being the final score as Jonathan Papelbon came in and threw a 1-2-3 ninth, collecting his twenty-seventh save of the year.
Sean O’Sullivan received a no-decision as he pitched six innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out four. Mario Hollands (2-1, 4.32) got the win as he pitched two scoreless innings, giving up a hit, while striking out a batter. Jonathan Papelbon collected his twenty-seventh save of the season as he threw a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out a batter. Collin McHugh also received a no-decision as he pitched seven innings, giving up a run on five hits, while striking out eight. Josh Fields pitched a third of an inning, giving up three runs on three hits, while striking out a batter. Tony Sipp collected his first blown save of the year, before taking the lost (2-2, 2.91) as he pitched a third of an inning, giving up two runs on two hits. Chad Qualls pitched a third of an inning, getting out the only man whom he would face.
The Phils had ten hits in the game, with Ben Revere (Singles) and Carlos Ruiz (Single, Double, RBI) both leading the team with two hits apiece. Jimmy Rollins (Single), Chase Utley (Single), Ryan Howard (Home Run, 4 RBIs), Marlon Byrd (Single), Gary Sizemore (Single) and Cody Asche (Single) had the other six Phils’ hits. The Phils’ offense had no walks in the game, while the defense performed four double plays.
The Phils (52-63, 5th) will start a three-game series with the Mets (54-61, 4th), starting with a night game tonight. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and is to start at 7:05 pm EDT. The Phils will send to the mound A.J. Burnett (6-11, 4.16), who is coming off a lost to the Nationals on August 2, as he went just one and two-thirds innings, as he was ejected from the game for arguing balls and strikes with the umpire, giving up five runs, only one of which was earned, on three hits and two walks, while striking out one, in the Phils’ 11-0 lost. He hopes that today will have a different outcome, as he tries to continue the Phils present winning streak. The Mets will counter with Bartolo Colon (10-9, 4.12), who is coming off a lost to the Giants on August 3, as he pitched four and two-thirds innings, giving up six runs on eight hits, while striking out five, in the Mets’ 9-0 lost. He will be trying to stop the Phils’ bats. The Phils will be trying to increase their current winning streak to four games.
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