Houston @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 24, 2010 ) Houston 4, Philadelphia 2
Ryan Howard had a night to forget on Tuesday.
The 2006 National League Most Valuable Player went 0-for-7 at the plate with five strikeouts, but it was what happened after his last at-bat which may ultimately be remembered by the Philadelphia Phillies' faithful if the team fails to quality for the postseason.
A pair of check swings were viewed as strikes by third base umpire Scott Barry, resulting in Howard's final strikeout. The slugger threw both his bat and helmet in disgust before tossing a few words Barry's way as Howard was promptly ejected in the 14th inning.
Without a position player remaining, pitcher Roy Oswalt found himself in left field and was shuffled into the lineup. After Chris Johnson's RBI single in the 16th inning helped the Houston Astros (56-69) to a 4-2 lead, the Phillies put the tying run at the plate.
The Astros alertly issued a free pass to Chase Utley to bring up Oswalt, who weakly grounded out to end the game.
The loss prevented Philadelphia (70-55) from both trimming its deficit in the NL East as well as maintaining sole possession of the lead for the wild card. The Phillies, who remain 2.5 games in back of the division-leading Atlanta Braves (73-53), are now tied for the wild card with the San Francisco Giants (71-56). The St. Louis Cardinals (68-55) sit one game back.
Howard will look to redeem himself against a familiar face on Wednesday when the teams meet in the third contest of a four-game series.
Former Phillie J.A. Happ (3-2, 3.54 ERA) will make his return to Citizens Bank Park after he was sent to Houston along with two prospects on July 29 in exchange for Oswalt.
Happ has performed well for his new team - recording four quality outings in five contests - including his last start against the Florida Marlins. The 27-year-old left-hander permitted three runs and five hits in six innings in that outing on Friday.
Happ will try to follow in the footsteps of Brett Myers, who tossed seven strong innings in the series opener on Monday to best his former team. A member of the 2008 World Series championship team, Myers permitted two runs and nine hits while striking out nine in seven innings.
Philadelphia will counter with Roy Halladay (16-8, major league-best 2.16 ERA), who has now rejoined National League Cy Young consideration after posting six consecutive victories and two consecutive shutouts.
The 33-year-old right-hander tossed seven scoreless innings on Friday as the Phillies secured a 1-0 triumph over the Washington Nationals.
Halladay will have to keep a keen eye on Carlos Lee, who has collected a pair of prominent two-run hits in the first two contests of this series.
The slugger had a two-run single in the eighth to lead the Astros to a 3-2 win on Monday. Lee then belted a two-run homer in the fourth inning as Houston secured its eighth win in 12 games.