HOUSTON, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Jimmy Rollins opened the game with a home run Friday, the first of 16 Philadelphia hits that led to a 12-6 victory over Houston.
The teams combined for 25 hits in a slugfest that resulted in the Astros losing for the 99th time this season.
Houston has been playing baseball for a half century and until last season had never lost 100 games in a single year. The Astros are on the verge of making it two 100-loss seasons in a row.
The homer by Rollins touched off a four-run first inning. Ryan Howard had three RBI, one with a double in the first and two more in the eighth with a single. John Mayberry also drove in three runs with a pair of singles.
The beneficiary of the offensive show was Cole Hamels (15-6), who gave up four runs (three earned) over seven innings while striking out eight.
Philadelphia's first five runs were charged to Edgar Gonzalez (2-1), who lasted four innings.
