Phillies beat Astros despite Hamels' struggles

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Cole Hamels surrendered three home runs, but the Phillies offense also roughed up Nelson Figueroa in a 7-6 defeat of the Astros on Monday at Osceola County Stadium.

Hamels gave up a leadoff homer to Carlos Lee in the second inning. Then, after the Phillies built a 5-2 lead, he surrendered homers to Chris Johnson and Jason Michaels in the fourth to allow Houston to tie it.

The lefty had only given up single hits in each of his previous three outings, covering two, four and four innings. He gave up seven hits against the Astros, however, including doubles to Johnson and Carlos Corporan to go along with the homers.

All five runs given up by Hamels were earned in his 3 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out four.

Righty David Herndon and lefty Antonio Bastardo each pitched a scoreless inning with a strikeout in their bids for bullpen spots.

Doubles from Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard highlighted a three-run second for the Phillies, and John Mayberry doubled, stole third and came around to score in the two-run third.

In the ninth, Michael Martinez singled, stole second, took third on a wild pitch and then scored when the catcher threw to third.

Righty Joe Blanton, the No. 5 starter, pitches Tuesday for the Phillies against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. On Wednesday, the team has its only scheduled off day of the spring, although ace Roy Halladay is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater.