Philadelphia Phillies outscored by Houston Astros 6-7 as Antonio Bastardo leaks runs-MLB Update
Relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo struggles as the Philadelphia Phillies are beaten by the Houston Astros 6-7 at Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas on September 16, 2012 in the last match of the four game series.
The momentum gained in the fifth inning was not capitalised on by the Phillies. The way they jumped to the lead in the fifth, it appeared they will clinch the victory by scoring few more runs later on.
Unfortunately their relievers ruined the offensive contribution made by the batters in the game.
Bastardo came at a time when starter Roy Halladay gave up the home-run. He was brought in his place because the lead was not enough and it was feared that Halladay may leak more runs and blow it.
Far from living up to the role that he was supposed to play, Bastardo yielded two runs by surrendering a double. In turn, Astros left Phillies behind and steered their journey toward a win.
Roy Halladay, while starting for Philadelphia threw six innings. Other than the two home-runs, he was impressive by-and-large as is indicated by the fact that he struck-out seven on Sunday.
As far as the offence was concerned, shortstop Jimmy Rollins turned out to be the most successful hitter at the plate for Phillies.
Besides, second baseman Chase Utley, first baseman Ryan Howard and the right fielder Domonic Brown played an important role with regard to sending the base-runners aboard.
Halladay feels during the whole series Astros played mysteriously and that made it difficult for him to understand what their plan of attacking was.
"It is definitely a different, odd team to pitch to," Halladay said. "Sometimes they are aggressive, sometimes they are not. Sometimes they are taking. I think the whole series, we never figured out what their plan was. It was kind of all over the place.
That made it tough."
Rollins stresses the need to take positives from the defeat and keep recent winning momentum earned by his team afloat.
"It shouldn't be deflating," Rollins said. "We lose games. It obviously doesn't matter the name on the jersey."
Phillies will be looking to make sure they learn lessons from the defeat and improve in the upcoming games.
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