Myers, Astros Edge Phillies as Offense Sputters Again
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The Phillies collected 9 hits off of Houston starter Brett Myers. But the offense blew numerous chances plating only 2 runs off of the former Phil. Both runs came in the third inning when catcher Carlos Ruiz led off with a homer off of Myers. After a ground out, 2 singles, and a fielders choice play at the plate, 2nd baseman Chase Utley looped a single into shallow centerfield to score the 2nd run. Phillies starter Joe Blanton came up with another fine performance going seven innings and giving up a first inning run and 6 hits while striking out 9 and walking none. With the Phils leading 2-1 starting the eighth inning, reliever Ryan Madson blew the lead giving up 2 runs as Myers and the Astros edged the Phillies by a 3-2 score as the offense sputtered again in the series opener.
The Phils blew their 3rd opportunity in 5 games to gain ground on Atlanta and remained remained 2 1/2 games behind NL East-leading Braves who were edged by Colorado. The Phils wildcard lead dropped back to 1 game over the San Francisco Giants who pounded Cincinnati. Both the third place Florida Marlins and the 4th place Mets had the day off but each picked up a 1/2 game on both the division-leading Braves and 2nd place Phillies.
Blanton retired the next 11 straight hitters after after giving up a run on 3 hits in the first inning. Then he gave up a single hit in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. In addition, he singled to shallow center in the third but, being slow afoot, he was rubbed out at home on centerfielder Shane Victorino’s fielder’s choice grounder. With shortstop Jimmy Rollins at 3rd base after following Blanton with a single, Utley drove him home with his single to centerfield.
With Madson in the game in the eighth and Astros on 2nd and 3rd base with 2 out, leftfielder Carlos Lee singled to shallow leftfield driving in both runs. Madson was charged with the loss.
Manager Charlie Manuel was tossed from the game in the eighth for arguing a call when Astros centerfielder Michael Bourn bunted safely, barely eluding a tag attempt by 1st baseman Ryan Howard. Manuel was tossed for claiming that Bourn step out of the baseline on the play. Manuel was tossed by the same umpire under similar circumstances 2 months ago for arguing when Victorino was called out for running out of the baseline.
Winning pitcher Myers similarly fanned 9 Phils while walking 1 in his seven innings. All 9 of Myers’ strikeouts were recorded against the 3rd through 6th hitters in the Phils lineup. Howard alone accounted for 3 of strikeouts — that’s 112 strikeouts in 107 games.
Closer Brad Lidge tossed a scoreless ninth inning while Astros reliever Brandon Lyon notched his 7th save.
For more on another moribund offensive showing by the Phils, click here for AP’s game recap for Yahoo.
To view the scores of all of Monday’s games, click here.
In Tuesday’s game 2, lefthander Cole Hamels opposes Bud Norris.
To view the schedule of all of Tuesday’s games, click here.
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