PHILLIES NEWS

After losing a heartbreaker on Sunday to finish off their weekend series with the Cubs, the Phils welcomed the Houston Astros to the Bank tonight to begin a 3 game set. Adam Eaton got the start and again surprised everyone with another solid effort, allowing just 3 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings of work. Unfortunately, the Phils at least initially could do nothing with itas Shawn Chacon blanked them for 8 innings. However, it would be the Phils this time who would be saved with some late luck and superb bullpen pitching, as Chad Durbin and the veteran Rudy Seanez of all people, blanked the Astros for the game's final two innings, opening the door for a late Phils rally. In the top of the first inning Miguel Tejada slapped a clutch two out single, to plate Lance Berkman for a 1-0 lead. In the top of the 6th a single by Geoff Blum and a sac fly by Hunter Pence produced two more runs for a 3-0 lead. Thanks to the bullpen it stayed that way until the bottom of the 9th as Jose Valverde came into close it out for the Stros. Pinch hitter Chris Snelling(just called up to fill Shane Victorino's roster spot while he nurses his calf injury) lead off the inning by depositing Valverde's first pitch into the seats to cut the lead to 3-1. Chase Utley was then hit by a pitch, and after Ryan Howard struck out, Ted Williams, er Pat Burrell(.349 BA, .791 slugging percentage, 5 HRs, 15 RBIs, 15 hits, .482 OBP), stepped to the plate with a chance to tie the game and did so slamming a 2 run homer to the opposite field. Geoff Jenkins then struck out, but Brad Ausmus forgot to catch the ball, and Jenkins reached first safely on the passed ball. Finally Pedro Feliz rolled a base hit all the way down the left field line and into the corner and Jenkins made like Enos Slaughter in the 1946 world series and raced all the way home from first to finish a thrilling 4-3 Phils win. So again the Phils get back to .500 at 7-7 and hopefully this time they'll finally get above it.