2nd baseman Chase Utley’s (25 HRs, 84 RBIs, .307 BA) 10th inning walk-off solo homer pushed the Phillies past the Houston Astros by a 3-2 score. 

But there were other heroes in this one.  There was rookie lefthanded starter Cole Hamels’ (7-7) fabulous 8 innings of 2 run, 3 hit pitching; carrying a perfect game through 5 2/3 innings before giving up his first hit, a solo homerun for rookie outfielder Charlton Jimerson in his first major league at bat pinch hitting for Astro starter Roger Clemens (6-4, 2.27 ERA). Hamels struck out 8 and walked none. There was 1st baseman Ryan Howard (53 HRs, 134 RBIs, .309 BA) who blasted another long homer in the 6th inning to tie the game at 1-1.  There were relievers Matt Smith (0-0, 0.00 ERA), who was brought in to replace Ryan Madison (10-8) with 1 on and 1 out to pitch to a lefthanded pinch hitter and pitched a clutch 2/3rds of the 9th inning and winning pitcher Rick White (3-1, S1) who gave up 1 hit but pitched a scoreless 10th.

Astros veteran starter “Rocket” Roger Clemens (6-4, 2.27 ERA) matched Hamels for 5 innings giving up 1 run on 1 hit while issuing 2 walks and striking out 6.  “Rocket” was forced out of his 15th start of the season with a strained right groin.  Neither Hamels nor Clemens was in on the final decision.

The Phils got on the board first in the 4th inning as 2 walks and a hit batsman got Clemens into a bases loaded jam with none out.  After leftfielder Pat Burrell (24 HRs, 84 RBIs) struck out, rightfielder Jeff Conine (9 HRs, 52 RBIs, .265) was hit by a pitch, the second hit batsman of the inning for Clemens forcing in a run.

In the 6th inning, the Astros tied the game on Jimerson’s first major league home in his first major league at bat.  The Phils regained the lead in their half of the 6th on Ryan Howard’s blast to the 2nd deck in rightfield off of reliever  Russ Springer (1-1, 3.86 ERA, S10).  Howard also extended his hitting streak to 14 games.

In the 8th inning, 3rd baseman Aubrey Huff (16 HRs, 56 RBIs, .271 BA) tied the game with a solo homer off of Hamels, the 2nd blast given up in the game by the rookie.

In the 9th, Madison replaced Hamels and got the 1st out before surrendering a basehit and leaving in favor of Matt Smith who retired lefthanded pinch hitter 1st baseman  Lance Berkman (37 HRs, 112 RBIs, .304 BA) and got the final out of the inning on a strikeout.

The Phils went down in their half of the 9th despite giving Astros reliever Chad Qualls (5-3) a bases loaded, 1 out hole to pitch out of.  Ryan Howard led off the inning by getting respect — an intentional walk. Pinch hitter Joe Thurston popped out attempting to bunt for the first out.  Jeff Conine then doubled sending Howard to 3rd base.  Catcher Chris Coste (5 HRs, 22 RBIs, .331 BA) was then walked to load the bases.  Qualls then retired the side on a strikeout and pop out.

In the Houston 10th inning, Huff led off double, but the pinch runner was stranded at 3rd as reliever White got the side out.

With 2 out in the Phils 10th inning, Utley hit his walk-off homer to rightfield, a low pitch out of the power zone off of Astro reliever and losing pitcher Dave Borkowski (1-2).  He was mobbed by his teammates as the Phillies snapped a 12-game losing streak to Houston that dated back to May 18, 2003.
 
For full recap including box scores and play-by-play on Monday’s game click here.

On Tuesday, Phillies lefthander Randy Wolf (3-0) faces Houston’s veteran lefthander Andy Pettite (13-13).

For full coverage of Tuesday’s games in both leagues; previews, recaps, box scores and play-by-play coverage click here.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 5th, 2006 at 9:37 am and is filed under Real-Time Baseball News and Commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.