It was more of the same for the Phillies this afternoon, as La Furia Roja fell behind early and couldn’t get up. Kyle Kendrick gave up one run in each of his first four innings of work, and the Phillies’ bats continued their month-long vacation to Boca Raton, losing their fourth straight to Houston, 5-1.
The Astros were paced by former Phillies farmhand Michael Bourn, who went 3-for-5 and wrought havoc on the bases, reaching twice on infield hits, stealing two bases, including one where he appeared to be picked off of first base, and scoring from second on a grounder to third. Carlos Lee also had a good game, going 2-for-4 with a homer. Wandy Rodriguez was excellent through seven innings, allowing only a run and five hits on 111 pitches.
For the Phillies’ part, Ryan Howard continued his run of remarkable incompetence, striking out twice in four hitless at-bats. Apart from Raul Ibanez, who went 3-for-3 with a walk, the Phillies managed only four hits to the Astros’ 13.
The loss drops the Phillies to three games behind the idle Atlanta Braves. There is no rest for the weary, as the Phillies will hop on a plane and fly cross-country to face the team with the best record in the NL, and their young ace, Mat Latos.
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