[August 06, 2014]PHILADELPHIA -- Ryan Howard, once
one of the game's most fearsome sluggers, watched as Houston Astros
reliever Jake Buchanan walked Chase Utley to pitch to him in the bottom
of the 15th inning Tuesday night.
It was a textbook maneuver, one often been used by opposing
managers this season.
On this occasion, however, the Philadelphia Phillies first baseman
tore the textbook to shreds.
Howard, who homered earlier in the game, singled home the decisive
run, lifting the Phillies to a 2-1 victory.
"You want to go up there with a little bit of a chip on your
shoulder," he said.
Howard, hitting just .217 this season, belted a leadoff homer in the
second, but he was hitless in his next five plate appearances. Twice
he grounded into double plays, and he also struck out in the 13th
after Utley walked.
"The second time, them walking Chase, I wanted to get it done," he
said.
Left fielder Grady Sizemore led off the 15th by singling off
Buchanan (1-2). Center fielder Ben Revere sacrificed, and shortstop
Jimmy Rollins flied to center. After Utley's intentional walk,
Howard bounced a 1-2 pitch through a defensive overshift on the
right side of the infield. Sizemore beat the throw to the plate by
right fielder Robbie Grossman.
"He was swinging the bat well," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said
of Howard. "I think it was just a matter of time."
Howard must be beginning to wonder. He went 1-for-25 on the
seven-game road trip that ended Sunday.
"I've hit balls hard over stretches (this season)," he said. "I
don't make any excuses. I come in every day, try to be positive. All
you can do is hit the ball hard. What happens when it leaves the bat
is out of your control."
His hit ended a game that lasted five hours and five minutes. It was
the fifth time this year the Phillies played a game that went 14
innings or longer, tying the franchise record from 1958. It was also
their longest game since they went 18 innings against the Arizona
Diamondbacks on Aug. 24, 2013.
The Phils are 3-2 in games going 14 or more this season, and 7-8 in
extra-inning affairs.
Houston, which saw a three-game winning streak end, fell to 5-4 in
extra-inning games. The Astros managed six hits, none in the last
five innings.
"We just couldn't get the offense going," manager Bo Porter said.
Hector Neris, making his major league debut, earned the victory by
working a scoreless inning in relief for the Phillies. The last of
eight Philadelphia pitchers, Neris was sent down to Triple-A Lehigh
Valley after the game to make room on the roster for fellow
right-hander David Buchanan, will start Wednesday against Houston.
Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick worked seven innings and allowed one run
and five hits while striking out three and walking one.
Kendrick, who retired the first 10 hitters he faced, carried a 1-0 lead
into the seventh but issued a leadoff walk to left fielder Chris Carter
and surrendered a single to catcher Jason Castro. First baseman Jon
Singleton tied the game with an RBI single to center.
Houston starter Dallas Keuchel also went seven innings, yielding one run
and five hits. Keuchel, who struck out four, walked one and hit a
batter, has allowed just two earned runs over his past 23 innings.
Howard led off the second by hitting a 2-2 slider from Keuchel into the
center field seats. It was the 17th homer of the season for Howard, who
snapped an 0-for-14 skid, and the first run in 23 innings for the
Phillies.
NOTES: Phillies 1B Ryan Howard, 2B Chase Utley and SS Jimmy Rollins
started their 887th game together, which, according to the Elias Sports
Bureau, is a record for most games started by three teammates at those
positions. ... Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg said before the game
that LHP Cliff Lee, placed on the disabled list Aug. 1 with a strained
elbow, has yet to undergo an MRI. Even so, Sandberg does not expect Lee
to be available the rest of the season, seeing as the lefty missed two
months with a similar affliction earlier this season. ... The Astros
will recall RHP Brad Peacock from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start
against Philadelphia on Wednesday. A corresponding roster move will be
announced. ... Phillies OF Domonic Brown was held out of the starting
lineup for the seventh consecutive game because of infected tonsils. He
grounded out as a pinch hitter in the ninth.
