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Phils use big fifth inning to down Pirates

Jul 29, 2007 - 3:50 AM By Larry Dougherty PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - Reserve catcher Chris Coste belted a three-run homer and Jimmy Rollins added a two-run triple in a season-high, eight-run fifth inning to propel the Philadelphia Phillies to a 10-5 victory over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.

It was the seventh win in the last eight games for the Phillies while the Pirates suffered their 12th defeat in 14 outings. Coste, who also had an RBI double, tied his career high with four RBI in the game.

In his second tour of duty this season with the Phillies since being recalled from Class AA Reading on June 29, Coste has six hits in 13 career at-bats against the Pirates with nine RBI.

"It was a good night," Coste said. "Every day for me is a tryout so every pitch is kind of like the seventh game of the World Series for me."

"He has been a superhero ever since he has had a chance to play," Rollins said. "Last year and once again this year. He is Chris "Clutch", that is what we call him." Hitting third for the second straight game due to an injury to All-Star 2B Chase Utley, Rollins also had an RBI double in the game. He was one home run shy of hitting for the cycle.

"That would have been nice," Rollins said on hitting for the cycle. "I have been around it a few times but if I get close enough to hit for the cycle a few more times that means I am getting three hits and probably driving in a few runs."

The Phillies also won for the second straight game since All-Star second baseman Chase Utley was placed on the disabled list with a broken right hand.

"We had Howard out for awhile, we have had a lot of pitchers out for awhile. We found a way to get it done as a team," Rollins said on overcoming adversity. "It is not about Chase (Utley), it is not about Ryan (Howard), it is not about me. It is about the nine guys and the pitchers out there every night or whoever it may be. We are professionals and we have to find a way to step up and make it happen."

The Phillies scored a solo run in each of the first two innings to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Pittsburgh answered with a four-run third inning as Phils' rookie starter J.D. Durbin (3-2). Coming off his first career shutout Sunday against San Diego, Durbin was touched for four hits in the frame, including a three-run homer by Freddy Sanchez.

The Pirates made it 5-2 in the fourth when Xavier Nady doubled home Jason Bay, who beat out an infield single and stole second base.

The Phillies finally figured out rookie starter Shane Youman (2-3) in the fifth. Shane Victorino opened the frame with a double to center field. Rollins then painted the line at third with a bunt single. Youman, who had allowed only seven walks in his four starts this season, proceeded to issue bases on balls to Howard and then Pat Burrell, forcing home Victorino.

Jose Castillo misplayed a grounder to third off the bat of Wes Helms to score Rollins. Tadahito Iguchi, playing in his first game with the Phillies following a Friday trade with the Chicago White Sox, drove in Howard with a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at 5-5.

Coste, a 34-year-old journeyman catcher in his second season in the majors, crushed the first pitch from Youman into the left field seats to give the Phillies the lead, 8-5. Rollins added a two-run triple, his second hit of the inning and third of the game, scoring Michael Bourn and Victorino.

"We gave them too many outs in the fifth inning," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said. "Youman made a pitch that could have diffused the inning but it did not happen. We built a lead, but with an offense like that on the other side you have to get outs and we did not get them."

The Phillies bullpen then shut the door with Jose Mesa, Tom Gordon, Ryan Madson and Brett Myers allowing just two hits over the final four innings.

For Myers, it was his first appearance since being placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain on May 25.

"Tonight was the best it (arm) has felt, even in the rehabs starts," Myers said. "I was not afraid to let it go tonight. Everything felt good."