Phillies 12, Astros 6
WP – Cole Hamels (15-6, 3.06)
LP – Edgar Gonzalez (2-1, 4.40)
HOUSTON — A night after blowing a 4-0 lead, the Phillies made sure that they didn’t suffer a similar fate against the Astros this time around.
After the Astros cut the Phillies lead to 5-3 courtesy of a Matt Downs two-run home run, the offense showed up in a big way. The Phillies tacked on four insurance runs on their way to a 12-6 victory on Friday night.
John Mayberry Jr. led the charge as he went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs and a run scored. Each Phillies starter minus Carlos Ruiz, had at least one hit.
With the bases loaded in the fifth inning, Mayberry singled on a ball that ricocheted off the pitcher. Chase Utley scored easily on the play and was followed by Ruiz who just slid in safely under the tag.
Domonic Brown also contributed to the offensive surge.
Brown absolutely tattooed a two-run bomb off right-handed reliever Jose Valdez that extended the Phillies lead to 9-4. The Phillies outfielder is hitting well with runners on base this season with a solid .292 average.
Cole Hamels didn’t have his best stuff but still managed to pitch seven innings. Hamels struck out eight batters and only walked one. He was hurt by the home run ball as he allowed long balls to Downs and Justin Maxwell.
2B: Howard (10), Mayberry (23). HR: Rollins (20), Brown (3).
Boxscore
TTB 