Philadelphia Phillies beat Houston Astros 4-3 at Citizens Bank Park - MLB Update
Philadelphia Phillies move past the Houston Astros 4-3 as their starter Cliff Lee strikes-out 10 at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 15, 2012 in second game of the two-match series.
About the same was to happen with the Phillies for which the manager Charlie Manuel had called a closed-door meeting earlier.
Having a two run lead at the start of the ninth was a time when the Phillies will expect their closer to show control and deliver victory. Chad Qualls gave up two runs and brought the Phillies to the brink of defeat instead.
Thanks to a timely homer by right fielder Hunter Pence, the Phillies managed to record a win in the tenth.
Pence contributed two RBIs, while facing five at-bats. It was his best game of the season as he struck two home runs. The fact those were struck during decisive moments of the game enhances value of his performance.
"I was charging it hard and I really can't tell you how it came out of my hand," Pence said. "I was trying to fire it as hard as I could."
Eight innings Lee threw reflected his ability to pitch perfect sessions. He showed an ability to steal shows on his own, even without much support from the offence, during crucial games of the season.
Apart from one home run, for no occasion he made batters feel comfortable against him.
As soon as Qualls held the mound, flurry of hits were struck and therefore he was replaced with Jacob Diekman.
Diekman then threw a perfect tenth inning and became a winner. If one accounts for pressure under which he threw, even quality eight innings by Lee stand eclipsed.
Unable to live up to his experience, centre fielder Shane Victorino went hitless. If he cannot impress the management in the season, the Phillies will more likely let him off for free agency during off-season.
The kind of performance their offence has put up is an encouraging sign. For how long it can sustain is not certain however.
While the Phillies will hope their existing strength lifts them, unless Chase Utley and Ryan Howard return, consistency in performance is far-fetched.
They will like to see Pence keeping his momentum high and come up with more such performances ahead in the season.
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