Philadelphia Phillies defeat Houston Astros 7-6 – MLB Update
With the regular season two days away, the Philadelphia Phillies put in a good performance as they beat the Houston Astros 7-6 Monday, March 28 at Bright House Networks in Florida.
Every player seems ready to make a place in final rotation for the Phillies.
Right-fielder Ben Francisco was more eager in the Grapefruit League outing where division rivals met for a second time in exhibition and presented quality performance to spectators. Francisco confirmed his spot in the final bull-pen launching a three-run
homer in the fifth inning that provided the Phillies a game-winning lead.
Francisco was vying for a spot with Domonic Brown who had undergone hand surgery and will play in the Minors. The 29-year-old right-handed Francisco hammered four homers and 13 RBIs in this spring.
Astros’ right-hand starting pitcher Bud Norris making his fifth start could not exhibit what team officials were hoping to see. He pitched in five innings and consumed seven runs on six hits including a homer by Francisco, as he managed two strike-outs.
"He was strong and sometimes too strong," Astros’ manager Brad Mills said. "There were some pitches around the zone early that he didn't get but pitching behind in the count really hurt him."
Astros stabilised very early as reliever Aneury Rodriguez, who was picked from Tampa Bay Rays in the fifth draft last year, struck-out two without giving a run in one inning. Closers Enerio Del Rosario and Fernando Abad both followed Rodriguez and did not
permit any run in their one-inning spells.
Phillies’ starter Nate Bump was replacing top prospect Roy Halladay who earned wins against Atlanta Braves on Sunday and improved his record 0-4 with 0.42 ERA. Nate was fortunate as he allowed eight hits but none of them went for homers, however he consumed
one run. He pitched five innings, struck-out just one and walked one.
Closer Lugo was about to donate the game to the Phillies as they both received runs in the end of game. Lugo allowed a homer in ninth inning to hitter J.B. Shuck who launched a three-run grand slam to left-field. However, the Phillies managed to enjoy victory
in the ninth inning.
Chase Utley and Brad Lidge face injury problems and Lidge will open the season on the disabled list. Halladay has already started missing his players.
"There are a lot of guys we're going to miss, that make us a better team. But unfortunately there's nothing you can do but go out and continue to play," Roy Halladay said.
The Phillies played brilliantly, as they managed to restrict the Astros’ offence. Houston will be looking to improve their performance before the regular season starts.
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