Phillies Recap: September 6, 2009

Houston Astros 4, Philadelphia Phillies 3

W - Norris (4-3), L - Hamels (8-9), S - Valverde (21)

The Phillies offense was once again stifled, despite the fact that they hit three homers. They managed only three runs, two of which came off of Astros starter Bud Norris. However, Cole Hamels was not sharp and his scoreless innings streak came to a crashing halt. The definitive blow came in the fifth inning, when Houston tallied three runs to win the game by a final of 4-3.

Cole Hamels did not have his best stuff and worked in and out of trouble all afternoon. He also had two would-be pick offs of Michael Bourn that were wiped away as Bourn beat the throws to second base. On the afternoon, Hamels went six innings, allowing all four earned runs, on eight hits and a pair of walks. He did have six strikeouts, but surrendered the lead in a big three-run fifth inning, from which the Phillies never recovered.

The Astros again got a solid pitching performance from their starter, Bud Norris. Norris gave up a couple of long balls but was able to limit the damage to solo homers. He went six strong innings, out-pitching his counterpart and allowing two earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts. He didn't walk a batter. The Astros' bullpen strung together the next three innings, allowing one earned run, but locking down the third win of the series for the Astros.

Had this series been the postseason, the Phillies would be home already. Fortunately, they have time to get the team back on track. However, this type of performance against the feisty Astros is unnerving. The team is collectively not hitting and their pitching, which had been almost lights out in August, is coming back down to Earth, just slightly. It might be time to have a team meeting and regroup, as they have slid down to just 20 games over .500.