Jul 2, 2007, 15:10 GMT
- The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off a tumultuous weekend series and will try to get back on track when they open a three-game set against the Houston Astros tonight at Minute Maid Park.
Philadelphia took on the National League East-rival New York Mets this weekend and salvaged the finale of a four-game series with Sunday's 5-3 win. The Phillies failed to take control in the NL East and sit five games behind the Mets for the top spot in the division.
Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run homer and Shane Victorino went 3-for-4 with a home run and two stolen bases for Philadelphia, which got a solid outing from rookie pitcher Kyle Kendrick. Kendrick, in his fourth-career start since being called up from Double-A Reading, gave up just two runs on six hits through 6 2/3 innings. The right-hander also benefited from three double plays.
Antonio Alfonseca posted his sixth save of the season by getting the last out in the ninth inning.
In All-Star news for the Phillies, second baseman Chase Utley will start and is joined by center fielder Aaron Rowand and starting pitcher Cole Hamels. The 78th All-Star Game will be played on July 10 at San Francisco's AT&T Park.
Jamie Moyer will toe the rubber for the Phillies tonight in Houston and he is 7-5 with a 4.15 ERA in 16 starts this season.
Moyer is unbeaten in his last three outing (2-0) and did not post a decision the last time out on June 27 against Cincinnati. Moyer allowed three runs and three hits in six innings of a 9-6 loss to the Reds at Citizens Bank Park.
The 44-year-old left-hander will face Houston for the first time this season and is 4-2 with a 2.88 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) against the Astros.
Houston just took three of four games from Colorado over the weekend, including Sunday's 12-0 pummeling of the Rockies in the series finale.
Lance Berkman hit a two-run homer and finished with four RBI, while Luke Scott added a two-run shot and knocked in three runs for the Astros, who are 12 1/2 games behind Milwaukee for the lead in the National League Central standings.
Mike Lamb contributed three hits and two RBI and Hunter Pence had four hits and three runs scored with an RBI. Starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez turned in a solid effort, hurling seven shutout innings of three-hit ball with four strikeouts and two walks.
Astros left-fielder Carlos Lee is the lone representative of the team for next week's All-Star Game in San Francisco. Lee is an All-Star for the third time in his career.
Houston will send Woody Williams to the mound in Monday's series opener and he is a disappointing 3-10 with a 5.58 ERA in 17 starts this season.
Williams owns a 2-5 record over his last nine outings and did not factor in the outcome in his previous start on June 27 against Milwaukee. Williams gave up three runs -- two earned -- through six innings of work in a 6-3 setback.
The right-hander faced the Phillies already this season on April 14 and was saddled with the loss. Williams surrendered six runs -- five earned -- over 5 1/3 innings of an 8-5 loss.
Williams is 3-6 with a 5.32 earned run average in 11 career starts against Philadelphia.
The Phillies took two of three games against Houston this season. They split a two-game game set before rain postponed the third and final game of the series, then won the make-up game on April 23 in South Philly.
Philadelphia is 6-3 in the last nine matchups with the 'Stros.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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