Roy Oswalt helps Philadelphia Phillies finish clean sweep against Houston Astros – MLB Recap
The Philadelphia Phillies finished their clean sweep against the Houston Astros by beating them in the third and last game of a three game series by 7-3 at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia on Sunday. This is the first time since 1970 that the Phillies opened
a home series with the three straight wins. The Phillies had to put a lot of hard work to clinch their first win of the series which they won 5-4, as they completely outclassed the Astros in the last two games beating them 9-4 and 7-3.
Roy Oswalt, who had been an Astros’ player for ten years before coming to the Phillies mid-way between the last Major League Baseball season, pitched six solid innings in his first start against his former team. In his six innings, he allowed two runs on
five hits and a walk with six strike-outs.
"I didn't know what to expect. It was a little bit different after being there so long. You know their strengths and weaknesses," Oswalt said.
The Phillies, with the type of pitching rotation they have, are considered to be the favourites for the World Series Title. They have some high class pitching rotation that includes current Cy Young award winners, Roy Halladay and last year’s All Star Cliff
Lee, along with the talented Cole Hamels who can out-do any offensive side.
"It pushes you," Oswalt said of other Phillies’ pitcher. "You know those guys are going to give you a quality start every time and you don't want to be the guy that gives it up. It's going to push us all the way through the year."
Game Highlights:
Ryan Howard opened the scoring for the Phillies in the first innings with his three run shot to centre-field.
In the same inning Ben Francisco homered to left to gave the Phillies an early 4-0 lead.
Placido Polanco made it 5-0 for the Phillies in the third inning with a run on Howard’s double to deep right-field.
Hunter Pence scored the first run for the Astros in the fourth inning with his homer to right-field.
In the top of the sixth inning, Carlos Lee completed his run on Brett Wallace’s ground out.
Shane Victorino singled to right-field to bring Francisco home before Carlos Ruiz scored on Michael Martinez’s single to left, ending the sixth innings with a five runs lead for Phillies.
Wallace scored the consolation run for the Astros on Humberto Quintero’s ground out.
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