PHILLIES NEWS

Fresh off a series win over the Nats the Phils traveled to Houston, a homecoming for ex-Stros Eric Bruntlett, and Brad Lidge, to begin a 4 game set with the Astros. Kyle Kendrick got the start tonight, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits in just 5 innings of work, just well enough to keep the Phils ahead. Now onto the game. In the bottom of the first, Lance Berkman slapped a 2 out double for a 1-0 Astros' lead. In the bottom of the 2nd, Carlos Ruiz slapped a bases loaded single to knot it up at 1. In the bottom of the 2nd, a sac fly by Brad Ausmus put the Astros up 2-1. In the top of the 3rd, Ryan Howard doubled in a run, Pedro Feliz pushed another run across with a single, and Geoff Jenkins tacked on a 3rd run with a sac fly, for a 4-2 Phils lead. In the top of the 5th, Ryan Howard slammed a solo homer for a 5-2 lead. In the bottom of the 6th, the Astros rallied back on a 2 run double by Ty Wigginton and a single by Geoff Blum to knot it up again at 5. In the top of the 8th, Pat Burrell came off the bench and slugged a pinch solo homer and Chase Utley later tacked on a run with a 2 out single, to put the Phils back ahead 7-5. Finally in the bottom of the 9th, Lidge closed out his old mates, forcing Berkman to pop up, and finish off a 7-5 Phils win, their 3rd in a row. So the Phils improve to 27-22 overall, but remain in 2nd, for now at least.