Phillies offense explodes for 15 runs

(AP Photo/Bob Levey)

Cole Hamels didn't have his best stuff but the offense did more than enough to carry the day for the Phillies in their 15-6 win over the Astros on Sunday. Hamels only lasted 4 innings and gave up 6 runs, including a 3-run shot by Carlos Lee moments after he hit Umpire Jerry Crawford in the head with his bat:

Crawford was taken to the hospital for tests but proved to be fine. Hamels gave up the homer to Lee two pitches after the game was delayed for almost 15 minutes due to the injury.

Fortunately, the Phillies offense, which has been stifled the last two days by the Astros, exploded in the 6th and 7th innings. In the 6th, the Phils batted around and picked up 5 runs and in the 7th the Phils added 6 more runs, punctuated by Chase Utley's 15th homer of the season:

Utley finished the night with 3 RBIs as did Shane Victorino. Pat Burrell and Geoff Jenkins also hit homers on a day where nearly everyone got in on the action. In fact, every Phillie starter got a hit on the night except for Ryan Howard who went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

It's nice to see the Phils offense pick up the slack when their ace is unable to give his usual dominating performance. The Phillies finish up their road trip with a respectable 4-3 record and will now come home to face the Colorado Rockies to start a 10-game homestand that also includes 3 games against the Marlins and 4 against the Reds. It will be the first time the Phils face the first place Marlins this season so it will be a good chance to gain some ground on the pesky Fish.