Pat Burrell to the Rescue!

After the Astros battled back in the 6th inning to tie the game at 5, Pat Burrell hit a pinch-hit solo home run in the 8th inning to give the Phillies the lead for good. They would later add another run on a Chase Utley RBI single.

Pat Burrell was given the night off because he is in the midst of a 3-27 slump and an overall slump existing through the month of May. His one at-bat proved heroic.

Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero (gave up tying run, but awarded to Kendrick), Chad Durbin, and Tom Gordon all pitched scoreless frames to get to closer Brad Lidge who needed only one pitch to get Lance Berkman to pop up for the final out.

Oh, and guess who might be back? Ryan Howard. Ryan Howard had another great peformance at the plate going 3-5 with a home run, a double, and drove in 2 RBIs. Howard seems in the zone and 2 of his 3 hits tonight (including his home run) were driven to opposite field. He's keeping his front shoulder and he moved a little closer to the plate. See what happens when you listen Ryan?

Another Phillie who's average is starting to climb is that of Pedro Feliz who went 2-4 tonight with an RBI. Also, after struggling mightily against the Nationals, Jimmy Rollins took the flight to Houston with gratification as he notched 2 hits, including a double.

In a game where things looked to be going smooth for Kyle Kendrick, he hit a wall after plunking Carlos Lee in the 6th. Two batters later, Ty Wiggington hit a double to make the game 5-4. Kendrick would be pulled after that hit, but J.C. Romero later allowed a RBI single with the infield drawn in to Geoff Blum.

Kendrick's final line: 5ip, 8 h, 5 r, 5 er, 1 bb, 2 k, 1 hbp
Tonight's win went to Chad Durbin.

On Deck: Adam Eaton against Brandon Backe, 8:05 pm.