Not Even Halladay Can Solve Astros
By: Mike Reisman
If you had asked the Phillies' management who would have caused the most trouble for the Phillies this year, the Astros would probably not be the answer you would have gotten. However, the Astros continue to create problems for the Phillies as they make a push towards the playoffs. Today's match-up showcased former Phillie J.A Happ, and current Phillie ace Roy Halladay. Realistically this was the second game of the day, as it started just under seven hours after last night/this morning's 16 inning marathon ended.
The game started as advertised, neither team able to get a hit until the 4th inning, when Hunter Pence broke up Roy's 3 inning perfecto with a solo shot to left field giving the Astros a one run lead. The Phillies wouldn't strike back until the 5th, when Jayson Werth broke up Happ's no hitter with a solo shot of his own tying the game at one.
The Astros would not keep the game tied for long, as Michael Bourn, yes Michael Bourn, would hit his 2nd home run of the year, a solo homer, giving the Astros a 2-1 lead. However the Phillies would strike back quickly, tying the game on a Placido Polanco double, which scored Roy Halladay. Of course it seems like the Astros just don't like being tied, as they scored the go-ahead run on a Humberto Quintero single which scored Chris Johnson.
The Phillies had a scoring chance in the bottom half of the 7th when they had runners on the corners with 2 out. Jimmy Rollins was up, and after Quintero dropped a pitch, he was able to pick off an unaware Ben Francisco at third base.
The game would end a disappointing 3-2 with Halladay falling to 16-9. Though the Phillies lost again, they were lucky that a huge comeback win by the Rockies, and an extra inning win by the Reds, keep the Phillies exactly where they started, 2.5 games out of the NL East and tied for the NL Wild card. The Phillies desperately need a win to avoid a sweep, and gain some momentum going into their series with the NL West leading Padres.