Phillies 5, Astros 1
Placido Polanco blasted a two-run homer for his 2,000th career hit and Joe Blanton tossed seven strong innings as host Philadelphia continued its recent dominance over Houston.
Blanton (4-3) gave up one run on six hits with seven strikeouts for the Phillies, who have won six out of their last eight games against Houston.
Freddy Galvis put Philadelphia on the board with a run-scoring single in the fifth off Lucas Harrell (2-3), who allowed three runs – two earned – over 5 2/3 innings.
The Phillies extended their lead in the sixth inning on RBI singles by Carlos Ruiz and Galvis, who had three hits and is batting .381 (8-for-21) with seven RBIs in his last seven games.
Astros pinch hitter Marwin Gonzalez hit his first major league home run in the eighth before Polanco answered in the bottom half with his two-out homer off David Carpenter.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Polanco is the 17th active major leaguer with 2,000 hits. … The Astros’ Carlos Lee tallied his 2,000th hit last year on this date. … Hunter Pence went 1-for-4 and is 3-for-27 (.111) over his last seven games. ... Houston was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. … Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon struck out the side in the ninth in a non-save situation. … The Astros have lost three straight games.