GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: PHILADELPHIA (42-41) at HOUSTON (36-47)

NL: PHILADELPHIA at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Mesa relieved J Durbin.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 4
HOUSTON 4 BOTTOM, 13TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: H Pence (.343, 2-FOR-5)</div>

 

NL: PHILADELPHIA at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY HUNTER PENCE (10) TO LEFT WITH 0 OUT IN
THE 13TH OFF JOSE MESA.

FINAL SCORE: HOUSTON 5, PHILADELPHIA 4</div>

 

NL: PHILADELPHIA at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL 13
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
PHILADELPHIA 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0
HOUSTON 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

10 11 12 13 R H E
-- -- -- -- - - -
PHILADELPHIA 0 0 0 0 4 16 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 1 5 11 0 (FINAL 13)

BATTERIES: PHI - ADAM EATON, RYAN MADSON (7TH), J.C. ROMERO (8TH), ANTONIO
ALFONSECA (9TH), MICHAEL ZAGURSKI (10TH), J.D. DURBIN (11TH),
JOSE MESA (13TH) AND ROD BARAJAS, CARLOS RUIZ (9TH)

HOU - ROY OSWALT, TREVER MILLER (8TH), CHAD QUALLS
(8TH), DAN WHEELER (9TH), MARK MCLEMORE (10TH), DAVE BORKOWSKI
(10TH), MATT ALBERS (12TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS

HOME RUNS: PHI - NONE

HOU - HUNTER PENCE (10) OFF JOSE MESA IN THE 13TH, 0 ON</div>

 

NL: PHILADELPHIA at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL 13
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
PHILADELPHIA 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0
HOUSTON 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

10 11 12 13 R H E
-- -- -- -- - - -
PHILADELPHIA 0 0 0 0 4 16 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 1 5 11 0 (FINAL 13)

BATTERIES: PHI - ADAM EATON, RYAN MADSON (7TH), J.C. ROMERO (8TH), ANTONIO
ALFONSECA (9TH), MICHAEL ZAGURSKI (10TH), J.D. DURBIN (11TH),
JOSE MESA (13TH) AND ROD BARAJAS, CARLOS RUIZ (9TH)

HOU - ROY OSWALT, TREVER MILLER (8TH), CHAD QUALLS
(8TH), DAN WHEELER (9TH), MARK MCLEMORE (10TH), DAVE BORKOWSKI
(10TH), MATT ALBERS (12TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS


WP - MATT ALBERS (2-4)
LP - JOSE MESA (0-1)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: PHI - NONE

HOU - HUNTER PENCE (10) OFF JOSE MESA IN THE 13TH, 0 ON


TIME: 4:23 ATT: 37,993

PROBABLES: PHI - COLE HAMELS (9-4, 3.87)
HOU - CHRIS SAMPSON (6-5, 4.15)</div>

 

NL: PHILADELPHIA at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">PHILADELPHIA (4) VS HOUSTON (5) - FINAL IN 13 INNINGS

PHILADELPHIA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Rollins ss 7 1 1 0 0 2 6 .282
M Bourn cf-lf 6 1 3 1 0 0 0 .286
C Utley 2b 6 0 1 0 0 0 4 .319
R Howard 1b 6 0 1 2 0 2 1 .251
S Victorino rf 5 1 3 0 0 0 1 .279
G Dobbs lf 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .286
b-A Rowand ph-cf 3 0 1 0 0 1 2 .309
W Helms 3b 4 0 3 1 0 0 2 .256
A Nunez 3b 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 .267
R Barajas c 4 1 1 0 0 0 3 .212
C Ruiz pr-c 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .274
A Eaton p 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 .184
a-C Coste ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .400
R Madson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Romero p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-P Burrell ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .202
A Alfonseca p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Zagurski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
d-C Hamels ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .184
J Durbin p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
e-J Moyer ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 .154
J Mesa p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 53 4 16 4 1 8 28

a-singled to right for A Eaton in the 7th; b-struck out swinging for G Dobbs
in the 8th; c-flied out to center for J Romero in the 9th; d-flied out to
left for M Zagurski in the 11th; e-struck out swinging for J Durbin in the
13th.

BATTING: 2B - S Victorino (15, R Oswalt); W Helms 2 (11, R Oswalt 2); R Howard
(13, R Oswalt); M Bourn (1, R Oswalt); R Barajas (7, D Wheeler); C Utley (32, M
McLemore). RBI - W Helms (20), R Howard 2 (59), M Bourn (5). 2-out RBI - W
Helms, R Howard 2, M Bourn. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Utley
2, W Helms 1, A Nunez 1, R Barajas 1, J Rollins 2, A Eaton 1, S Victorino 1.
GIDP - R Barajas. Team LOB - 12.

BASERUNNING: SB - S Victorino 2 (27, 2nd base off C Qualls/B Ausmus, 2nd base
off M Albers/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: Outfield assists - S Victorino (M Ensberg at Home). DP: 1 (C
Utley-R Howard).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 5 1 2 1 1 1 0 .259
H Pence cf 6 1 3 1 1 2 4 .345
L Berkman 1b 3 0 0 0 3 2 3 .264
C Lee lf 5 0 1 1 1 1 4 .294
M Loretta ss 4 1 1 0 0 1 3 .324
M McLemore p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Borkowski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-C Burke ph-rf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .218
M Lamb 3b 5 1 1 0 1 0 4 .305
L Scott rf 5 1 0 0 1 3 4 .233
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
B Ausmus c 5 0 1 1 1 1 2 .260
R Oswalt p 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .139
a-M Ensberg ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .212
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Wheeler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .262
E Bruntlett ss 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 .276

Totals 44 5 11 4 10 13 25

a-singled to center for R Oswalt in the 7th; b-grounded to second for D
Wheeler in the 9th; c-singled to center for D Borkowski in the 11th.

BATTING: HR - H Pence (10, 13th inning off J Mesa 0 on, 0 Out). S - C Biggio.
RBI - B Ausmus (18), C Biggio (28), C Lee (71), H Pence (39). 2-out RBI - C
Biggio. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Loretta 1, B Ausmus 1, L
Scott 1, H Pence 2. GIDP - R Oswalt. Team LOB - 15.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Lamb-C Biggio-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
PHILADELPHIA - 012 000 100 000 0 -- 4
HOUSTON - 030 000 001 000 1 -- 5

No outs when winning run scored.
----------------------------------------------------

PHILADELPHIA ip h r er bb so hr era
A Eaton 6 4 3 3 4 7 0 5.67
R Madson (H, 5) 1 1/3 2 0 0 1 1 0 3.80
J Romero (H, 2) 2/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 0.00
A Alfonseca (B, 2) 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 3.74
M Zagurski 1 1 0 0 2 2 0 4.61
J Durbin 2 1 0 0 1 2 0 15.95
J Mesa (L, 0-1) 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 4.50

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
R Oswalt 7 10 4 4 0 6 0 3.52
T Miller 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 7.17
C Qualls 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.32
D Wheeler 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 6.13
M McLemore 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.93
D Borkowski 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.63
M Albers (W, 2-4) 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 6.16

J Mesa pitched to 1 batter in the 13th.

WP - J Romero 2. IBB - C Ruiz (by M Albers). HBP - M Loretta (by A Eaton); S
Victorino (by M McLemore). Pitches-strikes: A Eaton 103-66; R Madson 18-11; J
Romero 13-5; A Alfonseca 24-15; M Zagurski 27-14; J Durbin 32-19; J Mesa 1-1; R
Oswalt 99-69; T Miller 9-7; C Qualls 12-8; D Wheeler 14-9; M McLemore 11-7; D
Borkowski 17-11; M Albers 33-21. Ground balls-fly balls: A Eaton 5-6; R Madson
1-1; J Romero 1-0; A Alfonseca 3-0; M Zagurski 1-0; J Durbin 1-3; J Mesa 0-0; R
Oswalt 10-5; T Miller 0-1; C Qualls 1-0; D Wheeler 0-2; M McLemore 0-1; D
Borkowski 3-2; M Albers 3-2. Batters faced: A Eaton 26; R Madson 6; J Romero 3;
A Alfonseca 6; M Zagurski 6; J Durbin 8; J Mesa 1; R Oswalt 30; T Miller 2; C
Qualls 2; D Wheeler 4; M McLemore 3; D Borkowski 5; M Albers 9.

UMPIRES: HP--Tim Welke. 1B--Lance Barksdale. 2B--Gary Cederstrom. 3B--Brian
Knight.

T--4:23. Att--37,993.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

NL: PHILADELPHIA at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
PHILADELPHIA 4
HOUSTON 5 FINAL</div>

 

NL: PHILADELPHIA at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PHILADELPHIA (4) AT HOUSTON (5) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PHILADELPHIA 2ND: R Howard struck out looking. S Victorino doubled to
left. G Dobbs grounded out to third. W Helms doubled to left, S Victorino
scored. R Barajas lined out to right. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 1,
HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: M Loretta singled to left. M Lamb singled to center,
M Loretta to second. L Scott walked, M Loretta to third, M Lamb to second.
B Ausmus walked, M Loretta scored, M Lamb to third, L Scott to second. R Oswalt
grounded into double play, second to first, M Lamb scored, B Ausmus out at
second, L Scott to third. C Biggio singled to left, L Scott scored. H Pence
struck out looking. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 1, HOUSTON 3.

PHILADELPHIA 3RD: A Eaton struck out looking. J Rollins singled to right.
M Bourn singled to right, J Rollins to second. C Utley flied out to left.
R Howard doubled to deep right center, J Rollins and M Bourn scored. S Victorino
grounded out to pitcher. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 3, HOUSTON 3.

PHILADELPHIA 7TH: W Helms doubled to deep left. R Barajas grounded into
fielder's choice to first, W Helms out at third. C Coste hit for A Eaton.
C Coste singled to right, R Barajas to second. J Rollins struck out swinging.
M Bourn hit a ground rule double to deep right, R Barajas scored, C Coste to
third. C Utley grounded out to first. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4,
HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 9TH: C Ruiz catching. A Alfonseca relieved J Romero. O Palmeiro hit
for D Wheeler. O Palmeiro grounded out to second. C Biggio singled to left.
H Pence singled to center, C Biggio to third. L Berkman walked, H Pence to
second. C Lee grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, C Biggio scored,
L Berkman out at second, H Pence to third. M Loretta grounded out to third.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 13TH: J Mesa relieved J Durbin. H Pence homered to left. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 5.</div>

 

NL: PHILADELPHIA at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PHILADELPHIA (4) AT HOUSTON (5) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Philadelphia Starting Lineups -- J Rollins SS, M Bourn CF, C Utley 2B, R Howard 1B,
S Victorino RF, G Dobbs LF, W Helms 3B, R Barajas C, A Eaton RHP.

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Biggio 2B, H Pence CF, L Berkman 1B, C Lee LF,
M Loretta SS, M Lamb 3B, L Scott RF, B Ausmus C, R Oswalt RHP.

Umpires -- Tim Welke (HP), Lance Barksdale (1B), Gary Cederstrom (2B), Brian Knight (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


PHILADELPHIA 1ST: J Rollins struck out looking. M Bourn grounded out to
pitcher. C Utley flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 0,
HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 1ST: C Biggio struck out swinging. H Pence grounded out to third.
L Berkman walked. C Lee popped out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PHILADELPHIA 0, HOUSTON 0.

PHILADELPHIA 2ND: R Howard struck out looking. S Victorino doubled to
left. G Dobbs grounded out to third. W Helms doubled to left, S Victorino
scored. R Barajas lined out to right. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 1,
HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: M Loretta singled to left. M Lamb singled to center,
M Loretta to second. L Scott walked, M Loretta to third, M Lamb to second.
B Ausmus walked, M Loretta scored, M Lamb to third, L Scott to second. R Oswalt
grounded into double play, second to first, M Lamb scored, B Ausmus out at
second, L Scott to third. C Biggio singled to left, L Scott scored. H Pence
struck out looking. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 1, HOUSTON 3.

PHILADELPHIA 3RD: A Eaton struck out looking. J Rollins singled to right.
M Bourn singled to right, J Rollins to second. C Utley flied out to left.
R Howard doubled to deep right center, J Rollins and M Bourn scored. S Victorino
grounded out to pitcher. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 3, HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 3RD: L Berkman walked. C Lee struck out swinging. M Loretta
struck out looking. M Lamb flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PHILADELPHIA 3, HOUSTON 3.

PHILADELPHIA 4TH: G Dobbs singled to right. W Helms singled to left
center, G Dobbs to second. R Barajas grounded into double play, third to
second to first, W Helms out at second, G Dobbs to third. A Eaton struck out
swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 3, HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 4TH: L Scott grounded out to first. B Ausmus struck out looking.
R Oswalt struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 3,
HOUSTON 3.

PHILADELPHIA 5TH: J Rollins flied out to center. M Bourn grounded out to
third. C Utley grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PHILADELPHIA 3, HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 5TH: C Biggio flied out to center. H Pence singled to center.
L Berkman flied out to left. C Lee flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 3, HOUSTON 3.

PHILADELPHIA 6TH: R Howard struck out swinging. S Victorino grounded out
to shortstop. G Dobbs flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PHILADELPHIA 3, HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 6TH: M Loretta hit by pitch. M Lamb flied out to left. L Scott
struck out swinging. B Ausmus grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop,
M Loretta out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 3, HOUSTON 3.

PHILADELPHIA 7TH: W Helms doubled to deep left. R Barajas grounded into
fielder's choice to first, W Helms out at third. C Coste hit for A Eaton.
C Coste singled to right, R Barajas to second. J Rollins struck out swinging.
M Bourn hit a ground rule double to deep right, R Barajas scored, C Coste to
third. C Utley grounded out to first. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4,
HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 7TH: R Madson relieved A Eaton. M Ensberg hit for R Oswalt.
M Ensberg singled to center. C Biggio sacrificed to first, M Ensberg to second.
H Pence walked. L Berkman struck out swinging. C Lee singled to right center,
M Ensberg thrown out at home. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 3.

PHILADELPHIA 8TH: T Miller relieved R Oswalt. R Howard flied out to center.
S Victorino singled to left. A Rowand hit for G Dobbs. C Qualls relieved
T Miller. S Victorino stole second. A Rowand struck out swinging. W Helms
grounded into fielder's choice to third, S Victorino out at third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 8TH: M Bourn in left field. A Rowand in center field. A Nunez at
third base. M Loretta lined out to right. J Romero relieved R Madson. M Lamb
walked. M Lamb to second on wild pitch by J Romero. L Scott struck out
swinging. M Lamb to third on wild pitch by J Romero. B Ausmus grounded out to
second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 3.

PHILADELPHIA 9TH: D Wheeler relieved C Qualls. R Barajas doubled to left.
P Burrell hit for J Romero. C Ruiz ran for R Barajas. P Burrell flied out to
center. J Rollins flied out to right. M Bourn reached on infield single to
second, C Ruiz tagged out at home. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4,
HOUSTON 3.

HOUSTON 9TH: C Ruiz catching. A Alfonseca relieved J Romero. O Palmeiro hit
for D Wheeler. O Palmeiro grounded out to second. C Biggio singled to left.
H Pence singled to center, C Biggio to third. L Berkman walked, H Pence to
second. C Lee grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, C Biggio scored,
L Berkman out at second, H Pence to third. M Loretta grounded out to third.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 4.

PHILADELPHIA 10TH: M McLemore relieved D Wheeler. E Bruntlett at shortstop.
C Utley doubled to left. R Howard flied out to center. S Victorino hit by
pitch. D Borkowski relieved M McLemore. A Rowand grounded into fielder's
choice to third, S Victorino out at second, C Utley to third. A Nunez grounded
out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 10TH: M Zagurski relieved A Alfonseca. M Lamb grounded out to
shortstop. L Scott struck out swinging. B Ausmus singled to center.
E Bruntlett walked, B Ausmus to second. C Biggio walked, B Ausmus to third,
E Bruntlett to second. H Pence struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 4.

PHILADELPHIA 11TH: C Ruiz grounded out to shortstop. C Hamels hit for
M Zagurski. C Hamels flied out to left. J Rollins flied out to center. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 11TH: J Durbin relieved M Zagurski. L Berkman struck out swinging.
C Lee walked. C Burke hit for D Borkowski. C Burke singled to center, C Lee to
second. M Lamb flied out to left. L Scott flied out to center. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 4.

PHILADELPHIA 12TH: C Burke in right field. M Albers relieved D Borkowski.
M Bourn grounded out to catcher. C Utley flied out to center. R Howard flied
out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 12TH: B Ausmus grounded out to first. E Bruntlett struck out
looking. C Biggio flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 4.

PHILADELPHIA 13TH: S Victorino singled to center. S Victorino stole
second. A Rowand singled to right, S Victorino to third. A Nunez grounded out
to shortstop, A Rowand to second. C Ruiz intentionally walked. J Moyer hit
for J Durbin. J Moyer struck out swinging. J Rollins grounded out to first.
(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 13TH: J Mesa relieved J Durbin. H Pence homered to left. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) PHILADELPHIA 4, HOUSTON 5.</div>

 

Astros parlay bad call, Pence homer into extra-inning win

<h3>HOUSTON 4, PHILADELPHIA 3 (13 INNINGS)</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros got a break and tookadvantage of it.

After a controversial call allowed the Astros to tie the game inthe ninth inning, rookie Hunter Pence hit the first pitch ofthe 13th inning over the left field wall to give the Astros a4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

Matt Albers (2-3), who struck out pinch hitter Jamie Moyer withthe bases loaded and retired Jimmy Rollins on a groundout,pitched a scoreless 13th in his first outing since beingrecalled from the minor leagues.

Jose Mesa (0-1) yielded the blast to Pence to suffer the defeat.

Houston stranded five runners over the 10th and 11th innings,but would not have reached extra innings if not for a blown callin the ninth.

In the fateful frame, Houston placed runners on first and thirdagainst Antonio Alfonseca on one-out singles by Craig Biggio andPence. Lance Berkman walked to load the bases for Carlos Lee,who grounded to Jimmy Rollins. The shortstop fielded the slowroller and started to turn what appeared to be a game-endingdouble play, but first base umpire Lance Barksdale called Leesafe at first.

That sparked Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel to charge theumpire to argue vehemently. Replays showed that Lee was indeedout, which would have given Philadelphia the victory.

The blown call took Houston starter Roy Oswalt off the hook.The righthander allowed four runs and 10 hits in seven innings.He yielded a seventh-inning RBI double to Houston-area nativeMichael Bourn on a ball that right fielder Luke Scott appearedto misplay, that gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead.

Adam Eaton gave up three runs and four hits in six innings andwas in line for his eighth win before the controversial call.

Wes Helms went 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and one RBIand right fielder Shane Victorino threw out a potential run atthe plate in the seventh.

 

Astros parlay bad call, Pence homer into extra-inning win

<h3>HOUSTON 4, PHILADELPHIA 3 (13 INNINGS)</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros got a break and tookadvantage of it.

After a controversial call allowed the Astros to tie the game inthe ninth inning, rookie Hunter Pence hit the first pitch ofthe 13th inning over the left field wall to give the Astros a4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

Matt Albers (2-3), who struck out pinch hitter Jamie Moyer withthe bases loaded and retired Jimmy Rollins on a groundout,pitched a scoreless 13th in his first outing since beingrecalled from the minor leagues.

Jose Mesa (0-1) yielded the blast to Pence to suffer the defeat. It wasHouston's third walk-off homer in six days. Carlos Lee and Mark Loretta provided game-winning blasts against Colorado reliever Brian Fuentes.

Houston stranded five runners over the 10th and 11th innings,but would not have reached extra innings if not for a blown callin the ninth.

In the fateful frame, Houston placed runners on first and thirdagainst Antonio Alfonseca on one-out singles by Craig Biggio andPence. Lance Berkman walked to load the bases for Carlos Lee,who grounded to Jimmy Rollins. The shortstop fielded the slowroller and started to turn what appeared to be a game-endingdouble play, but first base umpire Lance Barksdale called Leesafe at first.

That sparked Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel to charge theumpire to argue vehemently. Replays showed that Lee was indeedout, which would have given Philadelphia the victory.

The blown call took Houston starter Roy Oswalt off the hook.The righthander allowed four runs and 10 hits in seven innings.He yielded a seventh-inning RBI double to Houston-area nativeMichael Bourn on a ball that right fielder Luke Scott appearedto misplay, that gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead.

Adam Eaton gave up three runs and four hits in six innings andwas in line for his eighth win before the controversial call.

Wes Helms went 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and one RBIand right fielder Shane Victorino threw out a potential run atthe plate in the seventh.

 

Astros parlay bad call, Pence homer into extra-inning win

<h3>HOUSTON 4, PHILADELPHIA 3 (13 INNINGS)</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros got a break and tookadvantage of it.

After a controversial call allowed the Astros to tie the game inthe ninth inning, rookie Hunter Pence hit the first pitch ofthe 13th inning over the left field wall to give the Astros a4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

Matt Albers (2-3), who struck out pinch hitter Jamie Moyer withthe bases loaded and retired Jimmy Rollins on a groundout,pitched a scoreless 13th in his first outing since beingrecalled from the minor leagues.

Jose Mesa (0-1) yielded the blast to Pence to suffer the defeat.It was Houston's third walk-off homer in six days. Carlos Leeand Mark Loretta provided game-winning blasts against Coloradoreliever Brian Fuentes.

Houston stranded five runners over the 10th and 11th innings,but would not have reached extra innings if not for a blown callin the ninth.

In the fateful frame, Houston placed runners on first and thirdagainst Antonio Alfonseca on one-out singles by Craig Biggio andPence. Lance Berkman walked to load the bases for Carlos Lee,who grounded to Jimmy Rollins. The shortstop fielded the slowroller and started to turn what appeared to be a game-endingdouble play, but first base umpire Lance Barksdale called Leesafe at first.

That sparked Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel to charge theumpire to argue vehemently. Replays showed that Lee was indeedout, which would have given Philadelphia the victory.

The blown call took Houston starter Roy Oswalt off the hook. Therighthander allowed four runs and 10 hits in seven innings. Heyielded a seventh-inning RBI double to Houston-area nativeMichael Bourn on a ball that right fielder Luke Scott appearedto misplay, that gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead.

Adam Eaton gave up three runs and four hits in six innings andwas in line for his eighth win before the controversial call.

Wes Helms went 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and one RBIand right fielder Shane Victorino threw out a potential run atthe plate in the seventh.

 

Astros parlay bad call, Pence homer into extra-inning win

<h3>HOUSTON 4, PHILADELPHIA 3 (13 INNINGS)</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros got a break and tookadvantage of it.

After a controversial call allowed the Astros to tie the game inthe ninth inning, rookie Hunter Pence hit the first pitch ofthe 13th over the left field wall to give the Astros a 4-3victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

Matt Albers (2-3), who struck out pinch hitter Jamie Moyer withthe bases loaded and retired Jimmy Rollins on a groundout,pitched a scoreless 13th in his first outing since beingrecalled from the minor leagues.

Jose Mesa (0-1) yielded the blast to Pence to suffer the defeat.It was Houston's third walk-off homer in six days. Carlos Leeand Mark Loretta provided game-winning blasts against Coloradoreliever Brian Fuentes.

"I was up there just trying to see a pretty good fastball andput a good swing on it," Pence said. "Right now my swing feelspretty good, but I wouldn't say that I am necessarily locked in.Everyone is pitching me pretty tight and I still have to makesome adjustments.

"They are pitching me totally different than the Rockies wereover the weekend."

Houston stranded five runners over the 10th and 11th innings,but would not have reached extra innings if not for a blown callin the ninth.

In the fateful frame, Houston placed runners on first and thirdagainst Antonio Alfonseca on one-out singles by Craig Biggio andPence. Lance Berkman walked to load the bases for Carlos Lee,who grounded to Jimmy Rollins. The shortstop fielded the slowroller and started to turn what appeared to be a game-endingdouble play, but first base umpire Lance Barksdale called Leesafe at first.

That sparked Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel to charge theumpire to argue vehemently. Replays showed that Lee was indeedout, which would have given Philadelphia the victory.

"We turned the double play and the game was over," Manuel said."Biggio broke his bat and got a hit and (Pence) got jammed andgot a hit. That's all part of the game too. Alfonseca pitchedLee really good. He pitched really good.

"He got the ground ball and we executed. He missed the call.On our video, it shows him missing the call. I told him, butthat doesn't make things right."

Alfonseca said very little about the call.

"The replay said everything," Alfonseca said. "I'm not sayinganything."

The blown call took Houston starter Roy Oswalt off the hook.The righthander allowed four runs and 10 hits in seven innings.He yielded a seventh-inning RBI double to Houston-area nativeMichael Bourn on a ball that right fielder Luke Scott appearedto misplay, that gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead.

Adam Eaton gave up three runs and four hits in six innings andwas in line for his eighth win before the controversial call.

Wes Helms went 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and one RBIand right fielder Shane Victorino threw out a potential run atthe plate in the seventh.

Collectively, the Houston bullpen took a backseat to Pence'sheroics, but six pitchers kept the Phillies off the board forthe final six innings and didn't allow a walk until Albers gaveCarlos Ruiz an intentional pass in the 13th.

"Our bullpen got the job done tonight and I don't know what elseyou can ask for," said Astros manager Phil Garner. "Right nowthings are going our way, but right now we are making somethings happen for ourselves.

"Tonight, it started with the bullpen."

Albers picked up his first win in relief in just his fourthcareer relief appearance. It was his first win since pitchinginto the eighth inning at St. Louis on May 5.

"It was nice to get out of that little hole with runners onfirst and third with no outs," Albers said. "Late in the game,you don't want to give up any runs, especially in extra innings.Right there you just want to take deep breath, relax and makethe pitches you need to make to get out of it."