A long inning can do a lot to freeze the opposing pitcher, especially on a cold day like this. Brett Myers came up with a 4-run lead and promptly gave up a walk and a single to Placido Polanco and Jimmy Rollins. A passed ball allowed Ryan Howard to fly out to deep center and the runners moved up a base, with Polly scoring the first run of the season for the Phils. One batter later, Raul Ibanez grounded out to first base and with the infield back, Rollins scored from third. This kind of run manufacturing is what the Phillies need to do when the power isn’t there. Two men on with nobody out and both guys scored. That’s a sign of good things for Charlie Manuel and the Phillies hitters.
Brett Myers has had a very interesting start. The Phillies didn’t hit their first foul ball until the 7th inning. He didn’t make a Phillies hitter miss until his 80th pitch. And he still has yet to strike out anybody. But as the book is most likely closed on him, he went seven strong, giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits with 3 walks. Not a statistician’s dream, but a good start for the Astros to start their season.
4-2 Astros.