Phillippe Aumont allows two runs as Philadelphia Phillies lose to Houston Astros 4-6 – MLB Update
Relief pitcher Phillippe Aumont surrenders two runs late in the innings as the Philadelphia Phillies lost to the Houston Astros 4-6 at Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas on September 13, 2012 in the first match of the four game series.
Phillies started off extremely well and even when the Astros replied strongly in the fourth they were still one run ahead. Thereafter, a spectacular performance from their relievers was required.
Although they kept the Astros scoreless from the fifth through the end of the seventh, during the penultimate innings they failed to stop them from adding three runs and pulling off a stunning victory.
Since the beginning of the second half of the regular season, Phillies’ bullpen has been impressive. More often than not their relievers have supported the starters and brought wins for them.
However on Thursday, they struggled to keep the lead of the team intact.
With the loss, Phillies’ rising winning streak has been snapped. As a result, their chances for claiming the second Wild Card spot have reduced.
Tyler Cloyd started for Philadelphia in the match. He did not throw more than three innings. He yielded five hits and three runs. He struck-out four. Despite leaking runs, he was successful in protecting the lead.
What wreaked the bulk of the damage to the Phillies’ quest in the game were the two runs given up by Aumont as he suffered the loss.
Commenting on the runs leaked by the bullpen in the match, Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel takes pride in the fact that they have talented relievers and occasional meltdowns by them cannot hide this reality. By the time they earn experience, they are going
to become one of the greatest strengths of the team.
“We’ve got talent in there, we’ve always had the talent,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “It’s just a matter of getting them experience, getting them in the game and putting them in situations.”
Phillies will be trying their level best to beat Astros in the next three games. In order to make the most of their recent winning streak, they cannot afford to lose matches. It will be interesting to see how they perform in their next match-up.
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