Houston Astros right Hunter Pence hits a home run against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas
Houston Astros right Hunter Pence hits a home run against the Texas Rangers to give the Astros the lead in the eighth inning of their MLB interleague baseball game in Arlington, Texas June 18, 2009. REUTERS

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired prized right fielder Hunter Pence from the Houston Astros in exchange for four minor league prospects, the team announced on their website.
Pence is batting .309 with 11 home runs and 62 RBI's in 99 games for the Astros this season.

"It's been a long chapter, and I've bled Astros for a long time, and I think everyone knows that," Pence told the Houston Chronicle. "I've had a wonderful opportunity."

The Phillies sent first baseman Jonathan Singleton, right-handers Jarred Cosart and Josh Zeid and a player to be named later to the Astros.

The 28-year-old Pence was selected a National League All-Star for the second consecutive season earlier this month.

"He's (Pence) a right-handed bat, a power bat, that we can insert in the middle of the lineup and I think he can do some damage," Phillies second basemen Chase Utley told local media.

"It will be fun to get a chance to know him and get to play with him."

Singleton and Cosart are currently playing for Class A Clearwater and Zeid is playing for Double-A Reading.

Major league baseball