Somebody hotted up the coffee urn before this one. Garner flung everybody at the Phillies. Before a large, overwrought and histrionic Philly crowd the Astros emptied out their bullpen, dumped out all their pinch hitters and scared hell out of all Astros faithful before pulling this game out.
Sampson, the surprise starter, gave The Team 3.2 very solid innings. After giving up 2 singles, Garner got nervous and lifted him for Springer, who loaded the bases with a walk before getting a pop to the catcher Quintero.
In the 5th, Ensberg popped a bases loaded sac fly to open the scoring.
Wandy got the 5th and struck out the first 2 batters before loading the bases to face Ryan Very Large and Very Scary Howard. Wandy survived the encounter allowing only a 2 run single to the Very Large and Very Scary Howard. 2-1. Nieve came on and ended the threat.
Jason Lane homered in the 6th to tie the game. Bruntlett almost followed up with another homer.
Borkowski lost the lead by hanging a slider to Rollins, he hits the 2 run homer. 4-2.
Now the 7th, with one out, Ensberg worked a walk after falling behind 0-2. Then with 2 outs, Scott walked, again on a 3-2 count. Burke, 3-2, walked.
Bases loaded, pitching change to a right hander, fade to commercial, JD says, ?gotta be Lamb?. Nope, Orlando Palmeiro, ph?ing for Lane who had previously homered, drives a 2-2 curveball over short scoring 2. Burke advanced to 3rd from 1st on the throw home that got by Lieberthal.
NOW, Lamb, 2 outs, runners 1st and 3rd, scoots a grounder by Howard, Utley corrals it on the outfield grass, bobbles, safe, run scores. 5-4.
Trever Miller in the 7th got Utley to fly to center that Taveras tracked down, Howard popped up behind 2nd. Lidge closed out the inning striking out Conine with a couple high fastballs and a slider in on the corner.
Lidge walked the first batter of the 8th, advanced to 2nd on a bunt. Qualls relieved and got a couple groundouts to close out the inning.
Wheeler got 3 up 3 down in the 9th, which ended with Ryan Very Scary, Very Large Howard on deck.
On to Pittsburgh to continue this wild ride, Pettitte, 6:05
