Galveston Daily News - May 18, 1980

Houston falls again to Philadelphia 4-2

HOUSTON (UPI) — Larry Christenson belted a three-run homer to help the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-2 triumph over the Houston Astros, losers of five straight games.

Christenson's blast into the seats in left field off starter Joe Niekro, 4-3, brought home Larry Bowa and Manny Trillo to cap a four-run second inning. Greg Luzinski had scored the first run after leading off with a single and eventually scoring on a fielder's choice by Bowa.

Christenson, 3-0, pitched the first five innings before leaving with tenderness in his troublesome right elbow. The right-hander had missed his last scheduled start with elbow miseries. Dicky Noles, the third pitcher of the game for the Phils, recorded his third save.

Houston broke a string of 25 consecutive scoreless innings with a pair of runs in the third, highlighted by Cesar Cedeno's two-run single.

The Astros can thank Montreal for stopping Cincinnati this afternoon 9-6. Los Angeles, the team currently leading the National League West, played late Saturday evening. Houston entered that contest trailing the Dodgers by one game.

If Los Angeles wins, the Astros will be a game and one half back. It will be only a half game difference should the Dodgers lose to the Pittsburgh Pirates.