"There was another love fest at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday night.

Like Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt before him, Hunter Pence felt the affection of 45,000 Philadelphians who are crazy about their baseball team.

And that was just during warmups.

Pence, acquired in a trade with Houston on Friday night, got the full you're-one-of-us-now treatment as he ambled to the plate before his first at-bat as a Phillie. The place went bonkers for the 28-year-old outfielder, who general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. called "the missing piece" in what he hopes will be a drive to the World Series.

Pence, of course, had been prepped for the loud, standing-O reception by Oswalt and Brad Lidge, who had previously escaped rebuilding efforts in Houston for contention in Philadelphia.

"Roy and Brad told me that there's nothing like it – the crowd, the fans," Pence said before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. "They're extremely passionate. It's a packed house every night. They told me, 'You're in for a treat.' "

Pence showed some Philadelphia passion and heard a little more of it, as well, when his first at-bat as a Phillie ended in a ground out to second base in the second inning. Pence actually beat the throw and should have had an infield hit. Umpire Angel Hernandez blew the call and ruled Pence out. Pence reacted by yanking his helmet from his head and laughing as he trotted back to the dugout. Manager Charlie Manuel waddled out of the dugout and gave Hernandez and earful in support of his new rightfielder. It was the start of what the Phillies and Pence hope is a beautiful and successful relationship.

The Phils had long been looking for a right-handed bat to balance out the lefty-heavy middle of their order and provide an upgrade in right field. They will end up sending four prospects to Houston for Pence, a two-time National League all-star who hit .309 with 26 doubles, three triples, 11 homers and 62 RBIs in 99 games for Houston this season. Top pitching prospect Jarred Cosart and top hitting prospect Jonathan Singleton, a first baseman, were sent to Houston along with Double A pitcher Josh Zeid. Houston has until the end of August to select a fourth player from an agreed upon list of Single-A prospects."