After losing the first two games of the series, the Houston Astros were back at it Thursday night, trying to avoid the series sweep.
On the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies was right-hander Sean O'Sullivan. Coming into Thursday's game, O'Sullivan was 0-1 on the season, and could not quite settle in the MLB. He has pitched for other teams in the past, but has spent time with the Phillies' minor league team this season. After Roberto Hernandez was traded to the Dodgers, the Phillies called O'Sullivan up to start tonight's game. In the first inning, the Astros gave O'Sullivan a warm welcome back. Chris Carter launched a two-run home run to left field to give the Astros an early 2-0 lead. The next batter, Marc Krauss, hit a solo shot to right field to give Houston a 3-0 lead. This game did not seem promising for the Phillies early. In the third inning, Chris Carter was at it again. Another two-run shot, but this time to center field. The Astros had led 5-1, which was all the runs they got for the rest of the game. O'Sullivan lasted six innings while giving up five runs on seven hits.
Pitching for the Astros, was right-hander Collin McHugh. McHugh was 4-9 coming into Thursday's game, and was really due for a win. He was cruising along in this game very nicely. In the bottom of the second, three consecutive base hits allowed the Phillies to get on the scoreboard. Despite that inning, they had trouble getting anything going. McHugh allowed only one run on five hits in seven innings of work.
In the bottom of the 8th, the Phillies jumped all over the Astros' relievers. Josh Fields came on, and gave up a lead off double to Carlos Ruiz. Cody Asche followed with a single that scored Ruiz to trim the deficit to three. Later on in the inning, Tony Sipp was called on to pitch. Jimmy Rollins laced a single into left field that loaded the bases with only one out. The next batter was Chase Utley. Utley failed to come through, as he struck out. With two outs, Ryan Howard stepped up to the plate. After battling off several pitches, he finally got hold of one. A high drive to deep left center field that resulted in a go-ahead grand slam. Ryan Howard's 13th career grand slam was just enough to give the Phillies the 6-5 win.