Phillies offense quiet in loss to Houston
Joe Blanton pitched seven solid innings for the Philadelphia Phillies against the Houston Astros Monday night only to see the bullpen lose the game in the end 3-2.
Ryan Madson took over for Blanton in the eighth inning and gave up three hits and two earned runs to earn the loss for the Phillies. Former Astros closer Brad Lidge pitched a scoreless ninth giving up one hit and striking out one.
The decisive play came in the eighth inning. Jason Michaels led the inning off with a single. Michael Bourn tried to advance Michaels but then ended up getting on base himself when the umpire said that Ryan Howard missed his attempt to tag Bourn out. Manager Charlie Manuel ended up getting tosses from the game after arguing the call with umpire Greg Gibson.
This was the second time that Gibson has tossed Manuel this season. Against the Cleveland Indians on 24 June, Shane Victorino was called out running to first; Manuel was ejected after arguing the call.
Carlos Lee hit a single off Madson that scored both Michaels and Bourn to give Houston the lead 3-2 midway through the eighth inning.
Philadelphia threatened to tie the game in the ninth. After reliever Brandon Lyon walked Carlos Ruiz, Ben Francisco was sent in to pinch run for him. Francisco stole second to put the tying run in scoring position, but then Lyons managed to retire Jimmy Rollins for the final out of the game.
Blanton had pitched seven innings giving up six hits and one earned run while striking out nine. Former Phillies pitcher Brett Myers also went seven innings for Houston giving up nine hits and two earned runs while striking out nine and walking one. It was the first time that Myers had faced his former team.
The loss dropped the Phillies to 70-54 on the season, but remained two and a half games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East after the Braves lost to the Colorado Rockies 5-4. However, their lead in the wildcard race decreased to just one game over the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants who both won.
Cole Hamels will look to help the Phillies rebound Tuesday night when he takes the mound in the second of a four game series with Houston; Bud Norris is scheduled to take the mound for the Astros.
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