Gamenight: Phillies (27-22) At Astros (27-22)
For a second-straight night the Phillies offense poured on the power, striking down the Astros thanks to Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell. Back at a season-high five-games over .500, the Phils will try to claim a new mark when they face Brandon Backe and the ‘Stros at Minute Maid in game two.
Backe had his worst start of the season against the Phils on April 17. He gave up five earned runs (six in all) on 10 hits in just three innings. He’ll face Adam Eaton, who despite struggling most of the season, pitched well against the Astros this year. In his start he went six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits while walking two.
Pedro Feliz has seven hits in his last 13 at bats. Ryan Howard has six hits and six RBI in his last 10. Jayson Werth is out of the lineup, day-to-day with an oblique strain.
Combine Backe’s track record with Eaton and the Phils offensive boon and there’s a real possibility of a high-scoring affair. Then again …
Phillies: Adam Eaton (0-2) 5.59 ERA
Astros: Brandon Backe (3-5) 4.58 ERA
Gametime: 8:05 p.m. EST
Weather: 87 degrees, sunny
Lineup: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Jenkins, Feliz, Ruiz, Eaton
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday
Your gamenight beer: “School’s out and there’s sort of a buzz, but back then I didn’t really know what it was.” Summertime is upon us, which makes Goose Island’s Summertime a good beer for the moment. It’s a very standard, summer beer, one that’ll do the job after a couple. Tonight eat some clam fritters, a nice summer treat. “Yeah I got on sneaks, but I need a new pair, cause basketball courts in the summer got girls there.”
Go Phillies!
