Ryan Howard’s grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted the Phillies to a 6-5 win over the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday night.
The Phillies entered the frame trailing, 5-1. Carlos Ruiz doubled and scored on a hit by Cody Asche to make it a three-run game. Howard brought the Phillies all the way back with his 18th homer and 13th career grand slam, a Phillies’ record.
Howard circled the bases to a standing ovation and was lured from the dugout for a curtain call. Howard's four RBIs gave him 71 on the season, third-most in the NL.
The Phillies swept the three-game interleague series from Houston.
Starting pitching report
Emergency starter Sean O’Sullivan gave up five runs (all on home runs) over six innings. Two of the home runs came in the first inning, the other in the third. He did not allow a run in his final three innings.
O’Sullivan was summoned to Philadelphia from Triple A Lehigh Valley after scheduled starter Roberto Hernandez was traded to the Dodgers earlier in the day.
O’Sullivan has made two starts for the Phillies this season and given up nine runs in 11 2/3 innings.
Houston right-hander Collin McHugh pitched seven innings of one-run ball. He walked none and struck out eight. He left with a 5-1 lead.
Bullpen report
Mario Hollands pitched two scoreless innings to keep the Phillies close and Jonathan Papelbon notched his 27th save.
Houston reliever Josh Fields was charged with three runs in the eighth. Lefty Tony Sipp, who allowed Howard’s slam, was charged with two.
At the plate
Howard had a good at-bat against the lefty Sipp. He fouled off three pitches and hit a full-count fastball over the wall just to the left of center field.
Howard was 5 for 14 with two home runs in the three-game series.
Chris Carter hit a pair of two-run homers off O’Sullivan. Marc Krauss hit the Astros’ other homer.
Trade talk
The Phillies will get two low-level minor leaguers for Hernandez (see story).
Health check
Cliff Lee will not have surgery on his injured left elbow (see story).
Up next
The Phillies host the New York Mets in the first game of a four-game series on Friday night. Pitching matchups:
Friday night -- RH A.J. Burnett (6-11, 4.16) vs. RH Bartolo Colon (10-9, 4.12)
Saturday night -- LH Cole Hamels (6-6, 2.42) vs. RH Dillon Gee (4-4, 3.73)
Sunday afternoon -- RH Kyle Kendrick (5-11, 4.74) vs. RH Zack Wheeler (7-8, 3.48)
Monday afternoon -- RH David Buchanan (6-5, 4.39) vs. LH Jonathon Niese (5-8, 3.51)