Astros Sweep Slumping Phillies

J.A. Happ was unable to start the fourth game of the series this afternoon because of a strained muscle. Jamie Moyer started in his place. More on the injury:

The Phillies offense is suddenly struggling mightily and the Astros have been able to take advantage the past three days. This time it was Bud Norris shutting down the Phillies offense enough to give his guys a chance against Hamels. They took the chance he gave them and banged out eight hits off of Hamels and strung them together at the right times to get four runs of the Phils’ lefty. Hamels had pitched twenty-one consecutive scoreless innings before surrendering a run in the third. Offensively, the Astros were led by Miguel Tejada and Michael Bourn:

Offensively, Miguel Tejada collected four hits including two infield singles. Hustlin’ when your club is 15 games out. Thank you, Miguel. Mike Bourn stole a base each of the two times he was on, and was knocked in along with Kaz Matsui on a Carlos Lee single in the sixth inning. That hit would prove to be enough for the Astros, as they won their 3rd consecutive game against the leaders of the NL East.The good news for the Phillies is that the Marlins and Braves both lost as well so they maintained their six and half game lead over the Marlins.

Chase Utley was out of the lineup at the start of yesterday’s game because of a foul ball off of his foot on Friday night. This is the second time this season Utley has missed a game because of his right foot. X-rays were negative, but Charlie Manuel thought it best to give Utley the night off:

The foot is “swollen up,” Manuel said yesterday. “He’s going to be out today. We’ll see how it is tomorrow. Hit it right off his bone, man. If he’d have told me during the game, I might have done something about it. . . . It’s hurting today.“The Philadelphia Inquirer article goes on to mention Shane Victorino leaving the game in the 9th: