GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: LA DODGERS (56-44) at HOUSTON (42-57)

NL: LA DODGERS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Lidge relieved D Wheeler.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 4
HOUSTON 7 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: N Garciaparra (.281, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: W Betemit hit for E Hull.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, A ETHIER ON FIRST, J LONEY ON SECOND, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 4
HOUSTON 7 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: W Betemit (.242, 10 HR, 26 RBI)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
LA DODGERS 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 6 0
HOUSTON 1 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 x 7 8 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: LOS - MARK HENDRICKSON, RUDY SEANEZ (6TH), ERIC HULL (7TH) AND
RUSSELL MARTIN, MIKE LIEBERTHAL (8TH)

HOU - JASON JENNINGS, TREVER MILLER (7TH), CHAD QUALLS
(7TH), DAN WHEELER (8TH), BRAD LIDGE (9TH) AND ERIC MUNSON,
BRAD AUSMUS (9TH)

HOME RUNS: LOS - JEFF KENT (14) OFF JASON JENNINGS IN THE 2ND, 0 ON

HOU - CRAIG BIGGIO (6) OFF RUDY SEANEZ IN THE 6TH, 3 ON</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
LA DODGERS 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 6 0
HOUSTON 1 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 x 7 8 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: LOS - MARK HENDRICKSON, RUDY SEANEZ (6TH), ERIC HULL (7TH) AND
RUSSELL MARTIN, MIKE LIEBERTHAL (8TH)

HOU - JASON JENNINGS, TREVER MILLER (7TH), CHAD QUALLS
(7TH), DAN WHEELER (8TH), BRAD LIDGE (9TH) AND ERIC MUNSON,
BRAD AUSMUS (9TH)


WP - JASON JENNINGS (2-6)
LP - RUDY SEANEZ (6-2)
SAVE - BRAD LIDGE (4)

HOME RUNS: LOS - JEFF KENT (14) OFF JASON JENNINGS IN THE 2ND, 0 ON

HOU - CRAIG BIGGIO (6) OFF RUDY SEANEZ IN THE 6TH, 3 ON


TIME: 2:46 ATT: 38,247

PROBABLES: LOS - DEREK LOWE (8-9, 3.48)
HOU - MATT ALBERS (2-4, 5.76)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">LA DODGERS (4) VS HOUSTON (7) - FINAL

LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 4 0 0 0 1 1 3 .283
J Pierre cf 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 .284
R Martin c 4 0 1 1 0 2 0 .300
M Lieberthal c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .280
J Kent 2b 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 .292
L Gonzalez lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .292
N Garciaparra 3b 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 .280
J Loney 1b 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 .362
A Ethier rf 3 0 1 1 1 0 0 .298
M Hendrickson p 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000
R Seanez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-O Saenz ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .203
E Hull p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-W Betemit ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .240

Totals 33 4 6 4 4 5 9

a-lined out to third for R Seanez in the 7th; b-struck out swinging for E Hull
in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Loney (8, J Jennings); A Ethier (17, T Miller); R Martin (23, D
Wheeler). HR - J Kent (14, 2nd inning off J Jennings 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - J Kent
(54), J Loney (23), A Ethier (43), R Martin (66). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - O Saenz 1, L Gonzalez 1, R Furcal 2. Team LOB - 6.

BASERUNNING: SB - L Gonzalez (6, 2nd base off J Jennings/E Munson).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 1 2 4 0 1 0 .250
M Loretta 1b 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .300
L Berkman rf 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .260
C Lee lf 3 1 1 0 1 1 1 .289
M Ensberg 3b 4 0 1 2 0 1 1 .227
J Lane cf 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 .160
E Bruntlett ss 3 1 1 0 0 0 2 .295
E Munson c 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .275
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .249
J Jennings p 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .059
a-M Lamb ph 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 .305
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Wheeler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .247
B Lidge p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 31 7 8 6 4 4 11

a-walked for J Jennings in the 6th; b-flied out to left for D Wheeler in the
8th.

BATTING: 2B - M Loretta (19, M Hendrickson); C Lee (26, M Hendrickson); M
Ensberg (10, R Seanez). HR - C Biggio (6, 6th inning off R Seanez 3 on, 2 Out).
S - E Bruntlett. RBI - M Ensberg 2 (28), C Biggio 4 (35). 2-out RBI - C Biggio
4. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - O Palmeiro 1, M Ensberg 1. Team
LOB - 5.


----------------------------------------------------
LA DODGERS - 030 000 010 -- 4
HOUSTON - 100 006 00x -- 7
----------------------------------------------------

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
M Hendrickson 5 6 3 3 1 3 0 4.58
R Seanez (L, 6-2; B, 2) 1 2 4 4 2 0 1 4.21
E Hull 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0.00

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings (W, 2-6) 6 3 3 3 2 4 1 4.74
T Miller 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 5.74
C Qualls 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.72
D Wheeler 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 5.18
B Lidge (S, 4) 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1.99

M Hendrickson pitched to 2 batters in the 6th.

WP - M Hendrickson. Pitches-strikes: M Hendrickson 83-49; R Seanez 22-10; E
Hull 26-15; J Jennings 76-46; T Miller 14-7; C Qualls 9-7; D Wheeler 15-9; B
Lidge 22-11. Ground balls-fly balls: M Hendrickson 7-5; R Seanez 1-2; E Hull
1-4; J Jennings 5-9; T Miller 0-2; C Qualls 0-1; D Wheeler 2-1; B Lidge 2-0.
Batters faced: M Hendrickson 22; R Seanez 7; E Hull 7; J Jennings 23; T Miller
3; C Qualls 1; D Wheeler 5; B Lidge 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Gerry Davis. 1B--Brian Gorman. 2B--Mike Everitt. 3B--Paul
Nauert.

T--2:46. Att--38,247.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
LA DODGERS 4
HOUSTON 7 FINAL</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LA DODGERS (4) AT HOUSTON (7) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOUSTON 1ST: C Biggio fouled out to first. M Loretta doubled to deep
center. L Berkman grounded out to second, M Loretta to third. C Lee walked.
M Loretta scored, C Lee to second on wild pitch by M Hendrickson. M Ensberg
grounded out to third. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0, HOUSTON 1.

LA DODGERS 2ND: J Kent homered to left. L Gonzalez singled to right.
L Gonzalez stole second. N Garciaparra walked. J Loney doubled to left,
L Gonzalez scored, N Garciaparra to third. A Ethier grounded out to second,
N Garciaparra scored, J Loney to third. M Hendrickson struck out looking.
R Furcal flied out to left. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 6TH: L Berkman singled to center. C Lee hit a ground rule double
to deep right, L Berkman to third. R Seanez relieved M Hendrickson. M Ensberg
doubled to left, L Berkman and C Lee scored. J Lane walked. E Bruntlett
bunted into fielder's choice to pitcher, M Ensberg out at third, J Lane to
second. E Munson fouled out to third. M Lamb hit for J Jennings. M Lamb
walked, J Lane to third, E Bruntlett to second. C Biggio homered to left,
J Lane, E Bruntlett and M Lamb scored. M Loretta flied out to left. (6 Runs,
4 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 7.

LA DODGERS 8TH: D Wheeler relieved C Qualls. R Furcal flied out to center.
J Pierre walked. R Martin doubled to deep left center, J Pierre scored.
J Kent grounded out to second, R Martin to third. L Gonzalez grounded out to
pitcher. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 4, HOUSTON 7.</div>

 

Biggio ends memorable day with grand slam in Astros win

<h3>HOUSTON 7, LA DODGERS 4</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Craig Biggio is certainly making his finalyear as a Houston Astro one to remember.


Biggio capped off a six-run sixth inning with a grand slam asthe Astros downed the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7-4, on Tuesday.

After announcing his retirement earlier in the day, Biggiopunctuated the momentous occasion by breaking open a 3-3 tie,jumping on the first pitch he saw from Dodger reliever RudySeanez (6-2) with his second grand slam - and fourth career -into the left field seats. Earlier this year, Biggio reachedthe 3,000-hit plateau in a game in which he collected five hits.

The bases-clearing home run was the team's sixth and put anexclamation point on the Astros' best single-inning scoringoutput this season, as they emphatically made their way backafter trailing, 3-1, entering the frame.


Biggio's sixth home run this season made a winner of JasonJennings (2-6), who ended a personal five-game losing streak.The righthander allowed three runs and three hits, walking twoand striking out four over six innings on his way to winning forthe first time in 11 career starts at Minute Maid Park.

Three relievers effectively bridged the two-inning gap betweenJennings and closer Brad Lidge, who worked around a hit and awalk in the ninth and nailed down his fourth straight save afterblowing each of his first three save opportunities this season.

After Lance Berkman singled and Carlos Lee doubled to start therally, Morgan Ensberg's double drove in two runs to tie the gameat 3-3. Seanez walked Jason Lane before retiring the next twohitters, but walked pinch hitter Mike Lamb, setting the stagefor Biggio's blast.


Jeff Kent homered for the Dodgers, who have dropped four of sixcontests following a stretch where they won five of sixfollowing the All-Star break.

 

NL: LA DODGERS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LA DODGERS (4) AT HOUSTON (7) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

La Dodgers Starting Lineups -- R Furcal SS, J Pierre CF, R Martin C, J Kent 2B,
L Gonzalez LF, N Garciaparra 3B, J Loney 1B, A Ethier RF, M Hendrickson LHP.

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Biggio 2B, M Loretta 1B, L Berkman RF, C Lee LF,
M Ensberg 3B, J Lane CF, E Bruntlett SS, E Munson C, J Jennings RHP.

Umpires -- Gerry Davis (HP), Brian Gorman (1B), Mike Everitt (2B), Paul Nauert (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


LA DODGERS 1ST: R Furcal struck out looking. J Pierre grounded out to
second. R Martin fouled out to catcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0,
HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 1ST: C Biggio fouled out to first. M Loretta doubled to deep
center. L Berkman grounded out to second, M Loretta to third. C Lee walked.
M Loretta scored, C Lee to second on wild pitch by M Hendrickson. M Ensberg
grounded out to third. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0, HOUSTON 1.

LA DODGERS 2ND: J Kent homered to left. L Gonzalez singled to right.
L Gonzalez stole second. N Garciaparra walked. J Loney doubled to left,
L Gonzalez scored, N Garciaparra to third. A Ethier grounded out to second,
N Garciaparra scored, J Loney to third. M Hendrickson struck out looking.
R Furcal flied out to left. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 2ND: J Lane struck out swinging. E Bruntlett singled to center.
E Munson popped out to shortstop. J Jennings grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, E Bruntlett out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3,
HOUSTON 1.

LA DODGERS 3RD: J Pierre grounded out to first. R Martin struck out
swinging. J Kent flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3,
HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 3RD: C Biggio struck out swinging. M Loretta grounded out to
shortstop. L Berkman singled to left. C Lee grounded out to third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 1.

LA DODGERS 4TH: L Gonzalez flied out to center. N Garciaparra fouled out
to first. J Loney flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3,
HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 4TH: M Ensberg struck out swinging. J Lane popped out to second.
E Bruntlett grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3,
HOUSTON 1.

LA DODGERS 5TH: A Ethier grounded out to shortstop. M Hendrickson grounded
out to second. R Furcal walked. J Pierre fouled out to right. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 5TH: E Munson popped out to shortstop. J Jennings popped out to
first. C Biggio singled to left. M Loretta grounded out to third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 1.

LA DODGERS 6TH: R Martin struck out swinging. J Kent popped out to first.
L Gonzalez flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3,
HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 6TH: L Berkman singled to center. C Lee hit a ground rule double
to deep right, L Berkman to third. R Seanez relieved M Hendrickson. M Ensberg
doubled to left, L Berkman and C Lee scored. J Lane walked. E Bruntlett
bunted into fielder's choice to pitcher, M Ensberg out at third, J Lane to
second. E Munson fouled out to third. M Lamb hit for J Jennings. M Lamb
walked, J Lane to third, E Bruntlett to second. C Biggio homered to left,
J Lane, E Bruntlett and M Lamb scored. M Loretta flied out to left. (6 Runs,
4 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 7.

LA DODGERS 7TH: T Miller relieved J Jennings. N Garciaparra lined out to
shortstop. J Loney flied out to left. C Qualls relieved T Miller. A Ethier
doubled to center. O Saenz hit for R Seanez. O Saenz lined out to third.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 7.

HOUSTON 7TH: E Hull relieved R Seanez. L Berkman lined out to second.
C Lee struck out swinging. M Ensberg flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 7.

LA DODGERS 8TH: D Wheeler relieved C Qualls. R Furcal flied out to center.
J Pierre walked. R Martin doubled to deep left center, J Pierre scored.
J Kent grounded out to second, R Martin to third. L Gonzalez grounded out to
pitcher. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 4, HOUSTON 7.

HOUSTON 8TH: M Lieberthal catching. J Lane walked. E Bruntlett sacrificed
to catcher, J Lane to second. E Munson popped out to shortstop. O Palmeiro
hit for D Wheeler. O Palmeiro flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 4, HOUSTON 7.

LA DODGERS 9TH: B Ausmus catching. B Lidge relieved D Wheeler.
N Garciaparra grounded out to third. J Loney reached on infield single to
shortstop. A Ethier walked, J Loney to second. W Betemit hit for E Hull.
W Betemit struck out swinging. R Furcal grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) LA DODGERS 4, HOUSTON 7.</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">LA DODGERS (4) VS HOUSTON (7) - FINAL

LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 4 0 0 0 1 1 3 .283
J Pierre cf 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 .284
R Martin c 4 0 1 1 0 2 0 .300
M Lieberthal c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .280
J Kent 2b 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 .292
L Gonzalez lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .292
N Garciaparra 3b 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 .280
J Loney 1b 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 .362
A Ethier rf 3 0 1 1 1 0 0 .298
M Hendrickson p 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000
R Seanez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-O Saenz ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .203
E Hull p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-W Betemit ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .240

Totals 33 4 6 4 4 5 9

a-lined out to third for R Seanez in the 7th; b-struck out swinging for E Hull
in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Loney (8, J Jennings); A Ethier (17, T Miller); R Martin (23, D
Wheeler). HR - J Kent (14, 2nd inning off J Jennings 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - J Kent
(54), J Loney (23), A Ethier (43), R Martin (66). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - O Saenz 1, L Gonzalez 1, R Furcal 2, J Pierre 1. Team LOB -
6.

BASERUNNING: SB - L Gonzalez (6, 2nd base off J Jennings/E Munson), R Furcal
(11, 2nd base off J Jennings/E Munson).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 1 2 4 0 1 0 .250
M Loretta 1b 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .300
L Berkman rf 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .260
C Lee lf 3 1 1 0 1 1 1 .289
M Ensberg 3b 4 0 1 2 0 1 1 .227
J Lane cf 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 .160
E Bruntlett ss 3 1 1 0 0 0 2 .295
E Munson c 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .275
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .249
J Jennings p 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .059
a-M Lamb ph 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 .305
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Wheeler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .247
B Lidge p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 31 7 8 6 4 4 11

a-walked for J Jennings in the 6th; b-flied out to left for D Wheeler in the
8th.

BATTING: 2B - M Loretta (19, M Hendrickson); C Lee (26, M Hendrickson); M
Ensberg (10, R Seanez). HR - C Biggio (6, 6th inning off R Seanez 3 on, 2 Out).
S - E Bruntlett. RBI - M Ensberg 2 (28), C Biggio 4 (35). 2-out RBI - C Biggio
4. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - O Palmeiro 1, M Ensberg 1. Team
LOB - 5.


----------------------------------------------------
LA DODGERS - 030 000 010 -- 4
HOUSTON - 100 006 00x -- 7
----------------------------------------------------

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
M Hendrickson 5 6 3 3 1 3 0 4.58
R Seanez (L, 6-2; B, 2) 1 2 4 4 2 0 1 4.21
E Hull 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0.00

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings (W, 2-6) 6 3 3 3 2 4 1 4.74
T Miller 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 5.74
C Qualls 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.72
D Wheeler 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 5.18
B Lidge (S, 4) 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1.99

M Hendrickson pitched to 2 batters in the 6th.

WP - M Hendrickson. Pitches-strikes: M Hendrickson 83-49; R Seanez 22-10; E
Hull 26-15; J Jennings 76-46; T Miller 14-7; C Qualls 9-7; D Wheeler 15-9; B
Lidge 22-11. Ground balls-fly balls: M Hendrickson 7-5; R Seanez 1-2; E Hull
1-4; J Jennings 5-9; T Miller 0-2; C Qualls 0-1; D Wheeler 2-1; B Lidge 2-0.
Batters faced: M Hendrickson 22; R Seanez 7; E Hull 7; J Jennings 23; T Miller
3; C Qualls 1; D Wheeler 5; B Lidge 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Gerry Davis. 1B--Brian Gorman. 2B--Mike Everitt. 3B--Paul
Nauert.

T--2:46. Att--38,247.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LA DODGERS (4) AT HOUSTON (7) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

La Dodgers Starting Lineups -- R Furcal SS, J Pierre CF, R Martin C, J Kent 2B,
L Gonzalez LF, N Garciaparra 3B, J Loney 1B, A Ethier RF, M Hendrickson LHP.

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Biggio 2B, M Loretta 1B, L Berkman RF, C Lee LF,
M Ensberg 3B, J Lane CF, E Bruntlett SS, E Munson C, J Jennings RHP.

Umpires -- Gerry Davis (HP), Brian Gorman (1B), Mike Everitt (2B), Paul Nauert (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


LA DODGERS 1ST: R Furcal struck out looking. J Pierre grounded out to
second. R Martin fouled out to catcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0,
HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 1ST: C Biggio fouled out to first. M Loretta doubled to deep
center. L Berkman grounded out to second, M Loretta to third. C Lee walked.
M Loretta scored, C Lee to second on wild pitch by M Hendrickson. M Ensberg
grounded out to third. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0, HOUSTON 1.

LA DODGERS 2ND: J Kent homered to left. L Gonzalez singled to right.
L Gonzalez stole second. N Garciaparra walked. J Loney doubled to left,
L Gonzalez scored, N Garciaparra to third. A Ethier grounded out to second,
N Garciaparra scored, J Loney to third. M Hendrickson struck out looking.
R Furcal flied out to left. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 2ND: J Lane struck out swinging. E Bruntlett singled to center.
E Munson popped out to shortstop. J Jennings grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, E Bruntlett out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3,
HOUSTON 1.

LA DODGERS 3RD: J Pierre grounded out to first. R Martin struck out
swinging. J Kent flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3,
HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 3RD: C Biggio struck out swinging. M Loretta grounded out to
shortstop. L Berkman singled to left. C Lee grounded out to third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 1.

LA DODGERS 4TH: L Gonzalez flied out to center. N Garciaparra fouled out
to first. J Loney flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3,
HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 4TH: M Ensberg struck out swinging. J Lane popped out to second.
E Bruntlett grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3,
HOUSTON 1.

LA DODGERS 5TH: A Ethier grounded out to shortstop. M Hendrickson grounded
out to second. R Furcal walked. R Furcal stole second. J Pierre fouled out to
right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 5TH: E Munson popped out to shortstop. J Jennings popped out to
first. C Biggio singled to left. M Loretta grounded out to third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 1.

LA DODGERS 6TH: R Martin struck out swinging. J Kent popped out to first.
L Gonzalez flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3,
HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 6TH: L Berkman singled to center. C Lee hit a ground rule double
to deep right, L Berkman to third. R Seanez relieved M Hendrickson. M Ensberg
doubled to left, L Berkman and C Lee scored. J Lane walked. E Bruntlett
bunted into fielder's choice to pitcher, M Ensberg out at third, J Lane to
second. E Munson fouled out to third. M Lamb hit for J Jennings. M Lamb
walked, J Lane to third, E Bruntlett to second. C Biggio homered to left,
J Lane, E Bruntlett and M Lamb scored. M Loretta flied out to left. (6 Runs,
4 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 7.

LA DODGERS 7TH: T Miller relieved J Jennings. N Garciaparra lined out to
shortstop. J Loney flied out to left. A Ethier doubled to center. C Qualls
relieved T Miller. O Saenz hit for R Seanez. O Saenz lined out to third.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 7.

HOUSTON 7TH: E Hull relieved R Seanez. L Berkman lined out to second.
C Lee struck out swinging. M Ensberg flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 7.

LA DODGERS 8TH: D Wheeler relieved C Qualls. R Furcal flied out to center.
J Pierre walked. R Martin doubled to deep left center, J Pierre scored.
J Kent grounded out to second, R Martin to third. L Gonzalez grounded out to
pitcher. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 4, HOUSTON 7.

HOUSTON 8TH: M Lieberthal catching. J Lane walked. E Bruntlett sacrificed
to catcher, J Lane to second. E Munson popped out to shortstop. O Palmeiro
hit for D Wheeler. O Palmeiro flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 4, HOUSTON 7.

LA DODGERS 9TH: B Ausmus catching. B Lidge relieved D Wheeler.
N Garciaparra grounded out to third. J Loney reached on infield single to
shortstop. A Ethier walked, J Loney to second. W Betemit hit for E Hull.
W Betemit struck out swinging. R Furcal grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) LA DODGERS 4, HOUSTON 7.</div>

 

Biggio ends memorable day with grand slam in Astros win

<h3>HOUSTON 7, LA DODGERS 4</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Craig Biggio is certainly making his finalyear as a Houston Astro one to remember.


Biggio capped off a six-run sixth inning with a grand slam asthe Astros downed the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7-4, on Tuesday.

After announcing his retirement earlier in the day, Biggiopunctuated the momentous occasion by breaking open a 3-3 tie,jumping on the first pitch he saw from Dodger reliever RudySeanez (6-2) with his second grand slam - and fourth career -into the left field seats. Earlier this year, Biggio reachedthe 3,000-hit plateau in a game in which he collected five hits.

The bases-clearing home run was the team's sixth and put anexclamation point on the Astros' best single-inning scoringoutput this season, as they emphatically made their way backafter trailing, 3-1, entering the frame.


"Emotionally, it was a tough day," Biggio said. "To have thishappen is amazing. I still think I'm going to die early withall that has happened this season. I didn't even feel like Iwas touching the bases as I ran around them. It was justmagical. It was a special, special night."


Dodgers manager Grady Little, even in defeat, could not help butadmire Biggio's feat.


"It was a special day for (Biggio)," Little said. "I have a lotof respect for what he's accomplished. He's made thedifference in a lot of games throughout his career and he madethe difference tonight."


Houston manager Phil Garner is more than familiar with Biggio'saccomplishments.


"It was about as exciting as it could get," Garner said. "Itwas vintage Biggio. This year's been a lot of fun with him. Hehas been the most relaxed I've ever seen him."


Dodgers left fielder Luis Gonzalez - a former teammate of Biggio- was not surprised by the heroics from the longtime Astro.

"It was typical Biggio," Gonzalez said. "It was kind of meantto be for him today. He's a great ambassador for the city ofHouston.


"All the things he does on the field and off the field. ... He'sbeen first class his entire career. You think of all thethings he and his family have done for the city of Houston. ...It was only fitting that he hit a grand slam tonight. I justwish it hadn't been against us."


Biggio's sixth home run this season made a winner of JasonJennings (2-6), who ended a personal five-game losing streak.The righthander allowed three runs and three hits, walking twoand striking out four over six innings on his way to winning forthe first time in 11 career starts at Minute Maid Park.

"I'm making good strides," Jennings said. "I gave up three runsearly, but I kept us close. I pitched a lot better after theruns were given up and I gave the offense a chance."

Three relievers effectively bridged the two-inning gap betweenJennings and closer Brad Lidge, who worked around a hit and awalk in the ninth and nailed down his fourth straight save afterblowing each of his first three save opportunities this season.

After Lance Berkman singled and Carlos Lee doubled to start therally, Morgan Ensberg's double drove in two runs to tie the gameat 3-3. Seanez walked Jason Lane before retiring the next twohitters, but walked pinch hitter Mike Lamb, setting the stagefor Biggio's blast.


Jeff Kent homered for the Dodgers, who have dropped four of sixcontests following a stretch where they won five of sixfollowing the All-Star break.