PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The Philadelphia Phillies provided just enough offense for Roy Halladay to carry them past the Texas Rangers 3-2 in their interleague clash on Friday.
The Phillies had just four hits in the game but two were home runs that scored three runs.
Raul Ibanez walked with two outs in the second inning, halting a string a four consecutive strikeouts by Rangers starter C.J. Wilson, and the next batter Ben Francisco hit a two-run home run to erase a 1-0 deficit.
"I've got to go out there and play, and when I play, I have to play well," said Francisco, who has struggled at the plate recently. "It's up to me."
Ibanez then hit a solo home run in the fourth to give the National League leading Phillies a 3-1 lead.
Texas had opened the scoring on a double steal in the first inning, as lead-off hitter Elvis Andrus sprinted home from third base after Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz tried to throw out Mitch Moreland, who was stealing second base.
"Any time you've got an opportunity against him (Halladay) to score a run, you've got to go for it," said Rangers manager Ron Washington.
"Any time you've got an opportunity against him (Halladay) to score a run, you've got to go for it," said Rangers manager Ron Washington.
Halladay then kept the Rangers quiet until pinch hitter Endy Chavez led off the eighth inning with a double and came in to score on a ground ball.
Halladay pitched eight innings and allowed six hits while striking out seven. Wilson was just as impressive allowing four hits while striking out 10 in seven innings.
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
