Astros 1 - 5 Phillies
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Polanco's blast backs Blanton as Phils beat Astros

May 15, 2012 - 2:52 AM

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Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Placido Polanco notched his 2,000th career hit with a two-run homer in the eighth, which put the finishing touches on the Philadelphia Phillies' 5-1 win over the Houston Astros.

Polanco's first home run of the season, as well as a three-hit, two-RBI effort by Freddy Galvis, backed Joe Blanton's solid performance on the mound.

Blanton (4-3) extended his unbeaten streak at Citizens Bank Park by allowing six hits and just one run -- on a homer by Marwin Gonzalez -- over seven-plus innings. He improved to 8-0 in 21 home appearances (19 starts) since May 8, 2010.

"He threw the ball well," Astros manager Brad Mills said of Blanton. "It seemed like he was able to throw the breaking ball when he wanted to, and he was spotting his fastball. When you're able to do that, you're going to have a good night, and that's what he did."

The Astros dropped their third straight and Lucas Harrell (2-3) took the loss after surrendering three runs -- two earned -- on five hits in 5 2/3 frames.

Gonzalez stepped in as a pinch-hitter in the eighth and hit a leadoff shot over the right-field wall for his first career home run, cutting Houston's deficit to 3-1.

Blanton's outing was finished when Jose Altuve followed with a single, and Antonio Bastardo and Chad Qualls combined to retire the next three hitters.

Carlos Ruiz singled with two outs in the bottom half to give Polanco another shot at the plate, and the 15-year veteran homered to left field off David Carpenter for his milestone hit.

"I knew I hit it good. I thought it would drop somewhere," said a humble Polanco.

The game was scoreless until the Phillies benefited from Jed Lowrie's error on a potential inning-ending double play ball in the fifth. The miscue put runners on first and second, and Galvis laced a base hit to center to knock in Polanco.

Philadelphia left the bases loaded, but pushed two more across in the sixth. Shane Victorino opened the inning with a triple and raced home two batters later on Ruiz's line-drive single.

Harrell was pulled with two on and two out, and Galvis greeted Wilton Lopez by knocking in Polanco again. John Mayberry was thrown out at home on the play.

Game Notes

Polanco is the 17th active player to join the 2,000-hit club...Carlos Lee went 3-for-4 for the Astros, who went hitless in seven at-bats with runners in scoring position...The finale of this two-game series will take place Tuesday. The Phillies will be trying to win three straight games for the first time this season.






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