Polanco’s 2,000th Career Hit Helps Phillies Beat Astros

Joe Blanton pitched seven-plus strong innings and Placido Polanco homered for his 2,000th career hit to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-1 win over the Houston Astros on Monday night.

Blanton (4-3) allowed six hits and one run, struck out seven and walked one while pitching in a steady light rain throughout. The right-hander continued his solid recent stretch, improving to 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA in his last four starts.

Freddy Galvis had three hits and drove in a pair of runs and Carlos Ruiz went 2 for 4 with an RBI for the Phillies, who have won three of four since manager Charlie Manuel's much-publicized team meeting last Wednesday. Ruiz entered the game leading all major league catchers in average (.330), RBIs (22) and slugging percentage (.588).

Marwin Gonzalez, pinch hitting to lead off the eighth, hit his first major league homer for the Astros' lone run.