Philadelphia Phillies lose to Houston Astros 5-6 in close game at Spring Training - MLB Update
Philadelphia Phillies hand 5-6 victory to Houston Astros in a game that produced result in tenth when closer Jeremy Horst gave up three runs in just over one inning he pitched at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Florida on March 13, 2012 in their Grapefruit
Spring Training contest.
Both sides took time in getting started as far as runs were concerned and stayed scoreless in first three innings. As the game progressed, lead alternated from one side to another after every next inning until the game finished with scores tied. While Phillies
posted two runs in extra tenth inning, enough to envisage a victory as the Astros’ batters turned out even better who added three runs.
Brian Bixler was the man who helped Astros pull off stunning victory in tenth by bringing a three-run homer.
Livan Hernandez started for Astros and finished off with impressive figures, pitching for five shut-out innings without conceding any score along with one strike-out.
"I threw five innings and 60-some pitches, so I'm pretty close, 85 or 90 percent," said Hernandez. "One more bullpen and I could be ready."
For a 37-year-old player, enduring five innings on the mound is not a small feet and certainly Hernandez has consolidated his chances for stealing a spot in Astros’ rotation.
From Phillies’ side starter Cole Hamels was easily the star performer as he also stayed on the mound for five innings. While being hammered for a hit four times, never did he allow batters to have enough room to draw any homer from him. The fact he grabbed
four strike-outs at the expense of just one run, he has certainly improved on many areas in particular his change-ups.
"Once I'm really in a good rhythm, I'm able to throw it three, four, five times in a row," said Hamels. "But right now I'm getting a really good pitch and then I'm leaking the second one a little bit and it fades over the plate into the barrel."
Despite the defeat, some fight back was shown by the Phillies in the game as many of their weak points were overshadowed. Reeling at an unimpressive .455 PCT on table, club can immediately improve their standing with one or two victories in upcoming games.
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