Philadelphia Phillies Weekend Recap: Split Series with the Houston Astros

The Philadelphia Phillies finished off a four-game set against the Houston Astros that ended in a split of the series. After Thursdays big win to lead off the series, the Phils struggled through games two and three.

Although they managed to get solid starting pitching out of both Adam Eaton and Brett Myers, the offense couldn't muster more than three runs a game.

Friday, Eaton went deep into the game and it cost the Phillies, as he pitched eight innings, giving up two runs in the seventh and one in the eighth after earlier coughing up a fifth-inning home run to Hunter Pence.

The Phils offense managed to come within one run in the top of the ninth, but Shane Victorino flied out to end the game with runners on second and third.

Saturday's game ended in an even more disappointing fashion, as Brett Myers gave up four runs to the Astros, again only going six innings for the Phils. For the second night in a row, the Phils struggled to crack the pitching, but in the ninth inning managed to plate two runs to bring the game within one run.

Unfortunately for the Phils, the game ended with another Victorino flyout, except this time it was with only one out, but Pedro Feliz attempted to score the tying run on the flyout, and the game ended in a double play off an excellent throw by Darin Erstad.

Fortunately for the Phils, the offense showed up on Sunday. With Cole Hamels on the mound, the game appeared to be a lock as Hamels was ridding a 19-inning scoreless streak. Hamels though, didn't bring his best stuff to Houston and was rocked for six runs in four innings.

It looked like there would be no way to crack this Houston team, until the fifth inning as the Phils started an eleven-run two-inning rally, and piled on 15 total runs. The bullpen was strong, not allowing another Astro to score, thus completing the series for the Phils with a 15-6 win.

Monday, the Phils head home and face the Colorado Rockies for three games. The Rockies have placed key players on the DL as of late, including Matt Holliday.

The Phils now sit 2.5 games back in the NL East, still tied for second with Atlanta behind the surprising Florida Marlins.