Game 145 Phils @ Astros

I guess this is going to be another irritating game.
J. Happ sets the Phils down in order in the first then Cole gets one out and gives up two straight doubles and a single to start his game off.
Now he loads the bases on a hit batter.
I don't think they care at this point. Don't want to be in Houston, don't want to play at all.
Obvious cruise control right now.

Jim Reynolds behind the plate is really squeezing the plate, not giving any corners to Hamels.

Still playing sloppy again tonight.
Hamels gets two outs then a shot up the middle for a single goes to Mayberry and he boots it. Let it go right through his legs for a single then a two base error.

Finally some good news as Pence hit a ball off the yellow wall in left to tie it up at 1-1.

The slop continues in the fourth. A hit and a stolen base. it would be nice if Ruiz could throw a guy out for a change, then Howard stone hands a ball on Happ and Hamels doesn't cover first runner safe.

A single through the hole for a run then a three run home run makes it 5-1.
I would ove to turn off the Phils and have some one wake me up when the playoffs start, because It looks like the Phils have fallen asleep too.


I don't get this at all. The home plate ump is only calling strikes right down the middle and nothing on the corners. The Astros are swinging at good pitches not stuff off the plate but the Phils are swinging and not Forcing Happ to throw strikes.

Finally in the fifth the Phils get Rollins on with one out then Happ walks two after Polanco made an out.
Howard is up and swings through a fastball.

He hasn't hit a slam in awhile he's due for one.

Howard got to 2-1 but then a ball very low gets called for a strike. Happ throws the exact same pitch and it's called a ball.
Howard flies out to the waring track in left. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

That wall out in left is aout 20 feet high and the left fielder caught it on the track in front of the wall. Tom McCarthy said Howard missed a grand slam by a few feet.

Not really a surprise but Hamels was taken out after the fifth inning.

J. Happ ends up out-pitching Cole Hamels. Happ only gives up 4 hits while Hamels gives up 9 including 5 runs.

They really just were going through the motions the last few games.

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Loss 5-2
last ten 6-4
After Pence 28-12
Division up 11
Magic number 5
Playoff Magic Number 1
Record 94-51