» Four Homers, Myers’ Solid Pitching, Phillies Thrash Astros

Four Homers, Myers’ Solid Pitching, Phillies Thrash Astros

The Houston Astros revealed not only a suspect rotation after Roy Oswalt, but also an enemic, homer or nothing offense as well, throughout their series with the Phillies. The Phillies pounced on starter Brandon Backe early, for 3 runs in the first inning, and often, 1 run in the third and 2 more in the fourth and clubbed 4 homers off Astro pitching for the game, two back-to-back. Brett Myers tossed another fine game shutting down the Astros over seven innings as the Phils pounded Houston by a 10-2 score to take 2 of the 3 games.

For starters, AP’s Rob Maaddi reported for Yahoo sports that Myers had an awful bullpen warm-up session before the game. Once on the mound, spotting former teammate Michael Bourne in an Astros uni and leading off, the combination got Myers’ dander up and he pitched with intensity throughout the seven innings. He was only in trouble once.

In the third, with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd, catcher Humberto Quintero singled to rightfield. Leftfielder Carlos Lee, on 2nd base at the time, was nailed at home on the hit by rightfielder Geoff Jenkins’ on-target throw to keep the Astros off the board. Myers easily retired the final 9 hitters he faced.

As good as Myers was, the offense was equally solid giving him 10 runs worth of support. The first 7 players in the Phils’ lineup, which manager Charlie Manuel has had to tinker with in the absence of shortstop Jimmy Rollins and centerfielder Shane Victorino, had multi-hit games. Catcher Chris Coste went 4-5 with 3 RBIs, including a third inning RBI double and an eighth inning 2 run homer. 2nd baseman Chase Utley clubbed a 2 run shot in the fourth and 1st baseman Ryan Howard and leftfielder Pat Burrell went yard back-to-back in the sixth inning as the Phils peppered Backe and the Astros bullpen, including closer Jose Valverde again — victim of Coste’s eighth inning shot.

Houston managed 2 runs off of Phils pitching. Shortstop Miguel Tejada connected for a solo homer off of Myers in the third inning, one of Tejada’s three hits in the game, and Carlos Lee went yard on reliever Clay Condrey in the ninth. By the way, Tom Gordon gave only one hit in pitching the eighth inning.

For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Thursday’s games, click here.

Beginning Friday, the Phils, with momentum from their 2 of 3 series win over the Astros, entertain the New York Mets for three games. In Friday’s opener, an epic battle of lefthanders, Cole Hamels with his 2-1 record and 0.82 ERA faces arguably the best pitcher in baseball in Johan Santana (1-2, 3.05 ERA). On Saturday, two more lefties lock-up as Jamie Moyer opposes Oliver Perez. In Sunday’s final, Adam Eaton is opposed by Mike Pelfrey.

Following the Mets series, the Phillies travel to Denver for a two game rematch against last season’s division championship rivals, the Colorado Rockies.

For the scores, boxscores and recaps on Friday’s, Saturday’s and Sunday’s games, click here, here and here.