GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: COLORADO (38-40) at HOUSTON (32-46)

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - PITCHING CHANGE
HOU: BRIAN MOEHLER (0-2, 5.67) STARTING THE 11TH
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 4, HOUSTON 4

DUE UP FOR COLORADO: T TULOWITZKI (.274, 2-FOR-4)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Moehler relieved D Wheeler.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 4
HOUSTON 4 TOP, 11TH

DUE UP FOR COLORADO: T Tulowitzki (.274, 2-FOR-4)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY TROY TULOWITZKI (8) TO LEFT CENTER WITH 0
OUT IN THE 11TH OFF BRIAN MOEHLER.
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 4

DUE UP FOR COLORADO: C IANNETTA (.217, 2-FOR-2, 2 BB, HR, 2 RBI)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: C Sullivan hit for J Julio.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, NONE ON, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 5
HOUSTON 4 TOP, 11TH

DUE UP FOR COLORADO: C Sullivan (.500, 0 HR, 1 RBI)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
COLORADO 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0

10 11 R H E
-- -- - - -
COLORADO 0 1 5 14 1
HOUSTON 0 4 13 0 (BOT 11)

CURRENT PITCHERS: COL - JORGE JULIO (OUT)
HOU - BRIAN MOEHLER

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: L SCOTT (.244, 0-FOR-0, BB)
B MOEHLER (.250, 0 HR, 0 RBI)
C BIGGIO (.247, 4-FOR-5, RBI)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">COLORADO (5) VS HOUSTON (4) - MID 11TH - IN PROGRESS

COLORADO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
W Taveras cf 6 0 2 0 0 2 1 .312
K Matsui 2b 5 0 1 0 0 0 2 .301
M Holliday lf 5 0 2 0 0 0 1 .350
T Helton 1b 5 0 0 0 0 2 5 .313
G Atkins 3b 5 1 1 0 0 1 0 .246
B Hawpe rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .294
a-R Spilborghs ph-rf 2 1 1 2 0 1 0 .294
T Tulowitzki ss 5 2 3 1 0 1 1 .277
C Iannetta c 3 1 2 2 2 0 0 .216
A Cook p 3 0 1 0 0 1 4 .259
b-J Baker ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .237
L Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Corpas p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Affeldt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Julio p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-C Sullivan ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .444

Totals 44 5 14 5 2 9 15

a-homered to right center for B Hawpe in the 8th; b-grounded to shortstop for
A Cook in the 8th; c-struck out swinging for J Julio in the 11th.

BATTING: 2B - B Hawpe (17, R Oswalt); G Atkins (19, T Miller). 3B - K Matsui
(5, R Oswalt). HR - C Iannetta (2, 3rd inning off R Oswalt 0 on, 0 Out), R
Spilborghs (3, 8th inning off C Qualls 1 on, 1 Out), T Tulowitzki (8, 11th
inning off B Moehler 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - C Iannetta 2 (15), R Spilborghs 2
(17), T Tulowitzki (36). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Helton 2,
A Cook 2. GIDP - T Helton, J Baker. Team LOB - 8.

BASERUNNING: SB - T Tulowitzki (4, 2nd base off C Qualls/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: E - G Atkins (7, throw). Outfield assists - W Taveras (C Biggio at
2nd base). DP: 1 (C Iannetta-K Matsui).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 5 0 4 1 0 0 0 .247
H Pence cf 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 .336
L Berkman rf-1b 5 1 1 1 0 1 4 .259
C Lee lf 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 .292
M Loretta 3b-ss 5 1 3 0 0 1 1 .328
M Lamb 1b-3b 4 1 1 2 1 1 2 .297
B Ausmus c 5 1 2 0 0 2 4 .264
E Bruntlett ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .261
b-L Scott ph-rf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .244
R Oswalt p 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .147
a-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .270
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Borkowski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-M Ensberg ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .213
D Wheeler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250

Totals 40 4 13 4 2 5 17

a-grounded to pitcher for R Oswalt in the 7th; b-walked for E Bruntlett in the
8th; c-grounded to second for D Borkowski in the 8th.

BATTING: HR - L Berkman (12, 8th inning off L Hawkins 0 on, 1 Out), M Lamb (7,
8th inning off L Hawkins 1 on, 2 Out). S - E Bruntlett. RBI - C Biggio (27), L
Berkman (46), M Lamb 2 (22). 2-out RBI - C Biggio, M Lamb 2. Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - E Bruntlett 1, L Berkman 3, M Ensberg 1. Team LOB -
9.

BASERUNNING: SB - C Lee (5, 2nd base off A Cook/C Iannetta). CS - H Pence (4,
2nd base by J Affeldt/C Iannetta).

FIELDING: DP: 2 (E Bruntlett-M Lamb, C Biggio-E Bruntlett-M Lamb).


----------------------------------------------------
COLORADO - 001 000 030 01 -- 5
HOUSTON - 000 000 130 0 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

COLORADO ip h r er bb so hr era
A Cook 7 7 1 1 1 2 0 4.70
L Hawkins 2/3 4 3 3 0 0 2 4.87
M Corpas 2/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 2.77
J Affeldt 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.81
J Julio 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 6.08

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
R Oswalt 7 9 1 1 2 4 1 3.42
T Miller 1/3 1 1 1 0 0 0 7.91
C Qualls 0 3 2 2 0 0 1 4.50
D Borkowski 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.01
D Wheeler 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 5.87
B Moehler 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 5.79

C Qualls pitched to 3 batters in the 8th.

Pitches-strikes: A Cook 102-62; L Hawkins 10-8; M Corpas 14-5; J Affeldt 6-3;
J Julio 20-16; R Oswalt 114-79; T Miller 4-3; C Qualls 9-6; D Borkowski 6-4; D
Wheeler 34-23; B Moehler 15-12. Ground balls-fly balls: A Cook 11-7; L Hawkins
1-1; M Corpas 2-0; J Affeldt 0-0; J Julio 1-0; R Oswalt 10-6; T Miller 0-1; C
Qualls 0-0; D Borkowski 2-0; D Wheeler 1-1; B Moehler 2-0. Batters faced: A
Cook 28; L Hawkins 6; M Corpas 4; J Affeldt 1; J Julio 4; R Oswalt 30; T Miller
2; C Qualls 3; D Borkowski 1; D Wheeler 6; B Moehler 4.

UMPIRES: HP--Larry Poncino. 1B--Bruce Dreckman. 2B--Gary Darling. 3B--Jerry
Meals.
(Plus ceremonies delay totaling 4 minutes in the 7th).
Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - PITCHING CHANGE
COL: BRIAN FUENTES (0-2, 2.36) STARTING THE 11TH
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 4

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: L SCOTT (.244, 0-FOR-0)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Fuentes relieved J Julio.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 5
HOUSTON 4 BOTTOM, 11TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: L Scott (.244, 0-FOR-0)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: C Burke hit for B Moehler.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 5
HOUSTON 4 BOTTOM, 11TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C Burke (.231, 1 HR, 7 RBI)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - SCORING UPDATE
GRAND SLAM BY CARLOS LEE (15) TO LEFT WITH 2 OUT IN THE
11TH OFF BRIAN FUENTES SCORED CRAIG BIGGIO, HUNTER PENCE AND LANCE
BERKMAN.

FINAL SCORE: HOUSTON 8, COLORADO 5</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
COLORADO 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0

10 11 R H E
-- -- - - -
COLORADO 0 1 5 14 1
HOUSTON 0 4 8 16 0 (FINAL 11)

BATTERIES: COL - AARON COOK, LATROY HAWKINS (8TH), MANNY CORPAS (8TH), JEREMY
AFFELDT (9TH), JORGE JULIO (10TH), BRIAN FUENTES (11TH) AND
CHRIS IANNETTA

HOU - ROY OSWALT, TREVER MILLER (8TH), CHAD QUALLS
(8TH), DAVE BORKOWSKI (8TH), DAN WHEELER (9TH), BRIAN MOEHLER
(11TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS

HOME RUNS: COL - CHRIS IANNETTA (2) OFF ROY OSWALT IN THE 3RD, 0 ON
RYAN SPILBORGHS (3) OFF CHAD QUALLS IN THE 8TH, 1 ON
TROY TULOWITZKI (8) OFF BRIAN MOEHLER IN THE 11TH, 0 ON

HOU - LANCE BERKMAN (12) OFF LATROY HAWKINS IN THE 8TH, 0 ON
MIKE LAMB (7) OFF LATROY HAWKINS IN THE 8TH, 1 ON
CARLOS LEE (15) OFF BRIAN FUENTES IN THE 11TH, 3 ON</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
COLORADO 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0

10 11 R H E
-- -- - - -
COLORADO 0 1 5 14 1
HOUSTON 0 4 8 16 0 (FINAL 11)

BATTERIES: COL - AARON COOK, LATROY HAWKINS (8TH), MANNY CORPAS (8TH), JEREMY
AFFELDT (9TH), JORGE JULIO (10TH), BRIAN FUENTES (11TH) AND
CHRIS IANNETTA

HOU - ROY OSWALT, TREVER MILLER (8TH), CHAD QUALLS
(8TH), DAVE BORKOWSKI (8TH), DAN WHEELER (9TH), BRIAN MOEHLER
(11TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS


WP - BRIAN MOEHLER (1-2)
LP - BRIAN FUENTES (0-3)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: COL - CHRIS IANNETTA (2) OFF ROY OSWALT IN THE 3RD, 0 ON
RYAN SPILBORGHS (3) OFF CHAD QUALLS IN THE 8TH, 1 ON
TROY TULOWITZKI (8) OFF BRIAN MOEHLER IN THE 11TH, 0 ON

HOU - LANCE BERKMAN (12) OFF LATROY HAWKINS IN THE 8TH, 0 ON
MIKE LAMB (7) OFF LATROY HAWKINS IN THE 8TH, 1 ON
CARLOS LEE (15) OFF BRIAN FUENTES IN THE 11TH, 3 ON


TIME: 3:44 ATT: 42,537

PROBABLES: COL - JOSH FOGG (3-6, 4.81)
HOU - CHRIS SAMPSON (6-5, 3.71)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">COLORADO (5) VS HOUSTON (8) - FINAL IN 11 INNINGS

COLORADO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
W Taveras cf 6 0 2 0 0 2 1 .312
K Matsui 2b 5 0 1 0 0 0 2 .301
M Holliday lf 5 0 2 0 0 0 1 .350
T Helton 1b 5 0 0 0 0 2 5 .313
G Atkins 3b 5 1 1 0 0 1 0 .246
B Hawpe rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .294
a-R Spilborghs ph-rf 2 1 1 2 0 1 0 .294
T Tulowitzki ss 5 2 3 1 0 1 1 .277
C Iannetta c 3 1 2 2 2 0 0 .216
A Cook p 3 0 1 0 0 1 4 .259
b-J Baker ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .237
L Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Corpas p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Affeldt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Julio p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-C Sullivan ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .444
B Fuentes p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 44 5 14 5 2 9 15

a-homered to right center for B Hawpe in the 8th; b-grounded to shortstop for
A Cook in the 8th; c-struck out swinging for J Julio in the 11th.

BATTING: 2B - B Hawpe (17, R Oswalt); G Atkins (19, T Miller). 3B - K Matsui
(5, R Oswalt). HR - C Iannetta (2, 3rd inning off R Oswalt 0 on, 0 Out), R
Spilborghs (3, 8th inning off C Qualls 1 on, 1 Out), T Tulowitzki (8, 11th
inning off B Moehler 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - C Iannetta 2 (15), R Spilborghs 2
(17), T Tulowitzki (36). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Helton 2,
A Cook 2. GIDP - T Helton, J Baker. Team LOB - 8.

BASERUNNING: SB - T Tulowitzki (4, 2nd base off C Qualls/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: E - G Atkins (7, throw). Outfield assists - W Taveras (C Biggio at
2nd base). DP: 1 (C Iannetta-K Matsui).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 6 1 5 1 0 0 0 .250
H Pence cf 6 1 1 0 0 0 1 .339
L Berkman rf-1b 5 2 1 1 0 1 4 .259
C Lee lf 6 1 2 4 0 0 0 .294
M Loretta 3b-ss 5 1 3 0 0 1 1 .328
M Lamb 1b-3b 4 1 1 2 1 1 2 .297
B Ausmus c 5 1 2 0 0 2 4 .264
E Bruntlett ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .261
b-L Scott ph-rf 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 .242
R Oswalt p 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .147
a-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .270
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Borkowski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-M Ensberg ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .213
D Wheeler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
d-C Burke ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .229

Totals 45 8 16 8 2 6 17

a-grounded to pitcher for R Oswalt in the 7th; b-walked for E Bruntlett in the
8th; c-grounded to second for D Borkowski in the 8th; d-flied out to right
for B Moehler in the 11th.

BATTING: 2B - H Pence (20, B Fuentes). HR - L Berkman (12, 8th inning off L
Hawkins 0 on, 1 Out), M Lamb (7, 8th inning off L Hawkins 1 on, 2 Out), C Lee
(15, 11th inning off B Fuentes 3 on, 2 Out). S - E Bruntlett. RBI - C Biggio
(27), L Berkman (46), M Lamb 2 (22), C Lee 4 (66). 2-out RBI - C Biggio, M Lamb
2, C Lee 4. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - E Bruntlett 1, L Berkman
3, M Ensberg 1. Team LOB - 9.

BASERUNNING: SB - C Lee (5, 2nd base off A Cook/C Iannetta). CS - H Pence (4,
2nd base by J Affeldt/C Iannetta).

FIELDING: DP: 2 (E Bruntlett-M Lamb, C Biggio-E Bruntlett-M Lamb).


----------------------------------------------------
COLORADO - 001 000 030 01 -- 5
HOUSTON - 000 000 130 04 -- 8

Two outs when winning run scored.
----------------------------------------------------

COLORADO ip h r er bb so hr era
A Cook 7 7 1 1 1 2 0 4.70
L Hawkins (B, 4) 2/3 4 3 3 0 0 2 4.87
M Corpas 2/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 2.77
J Affeldt 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.81
J Julio 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 6.08
B Fuentes (L, 0-3; B, 5) 2/3 3 4 4 0 1 1 3.34

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
R Oswalt 7 9 1 1 2 4 1 3.42
T Miller 1/3 1 1 1 0 0 0 7.91
C Qualls 0 3 2 2 0 0 1 4.50
D Borkowski 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.01
D Wheeler 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 5.87
B Moehler (W, 1-2) 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 5.79

C Qualls pitched to 3 batters in the 8th.

HBP - L Berkman (by B Fuentes). Pitches-strikes: A Cook 102-62; L Hawkins
10-8; M Corpas 14-5; J Affeldt 6-3; J Julio 20-16; B Fuentes 17-11; R Oswalt
114-79; T Miller 4-3; C Qualls 9-6; D Borkowski 6-4; D Wheeler 34-23; B Moehler
15-12. Ground balls-fly balls: A Cook 11-7; L Hawkins 1-1; M Corpas 2-0; J
Affeldt 0-0; J Julio 1-0; B Fuentes 0-1; R Oswalt 10-6; T Miller 0-1; C Qualls
0-0; D Borkowski 2-0; D Wheeler 1-1; B Moehler 2-0. Batters faced: A Cook 28; L
Hawkins 6; M Corpas 4; J Affeldt 1; J Julio 4; B Fuentes 6; R Oswalt 30; T
Miller 2; C Qualls 3; D Borkowski 1; D Wheeler 6; B Moehler 4.

UMPIRES: HP--Larry Poncino. 1B--Bruce Dreckman. 2B--Gary Darling. 3B--Jerry
Meals.

T--3:44. (Plus ceremonies delay totaling 4 minutes in the 7th). Att--42,537.

Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

Biggio gets 3,000th hit, Astros defeat Rockies in 11 innings

<h3>HOUSTON 8, COLORADO 5 (11 INNINGS)</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Troy Tulowitzki nearly spoiled a specialnight for Craig Biggio, but Carlos Lee made it all good lateron.

Lee hit a walk-off grand slam in the 11th inning as the HoustonAstros posted an 8-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies onThursday.

The winning blast came on a night that saw Biggio surpass themark of 3,000 career hits, becoming the 27th player in historyto reach the milestone and just the second player to collectfive hits while doing so. The grand slam also came one-halfinning after Tulowitzki had given Colorado a brief 5-4 lead witha solo shot off reliever Brian Moehler (1-2).

With two outs in the 11th, Biggio beat out a grounder toshortstop off closer Brian Fuentes (0-3) to go 5-for-6 on thenight and give him 3,002 hits. The 20-year veteran joined Hallof famer George Brett as the only members of the 3,000-hit clubto collect five hits in reaching the plateau.

After Hunter Pence doubled to center field to put runners onsecond and third, Fuentes hit Lance Berkman with a pitch. Leethen smashed his 15th homer over the left field wall for thevictory.

It was Lee's third homer in four games and the Astros' fifthgrand slam this season. Fuentes has blown three straight saveopportunities on Colorado's current road trip and five overallthis campaign.

Biggio, who entered needing three hits for 3,000, posted hissecond career five-hit game. The other came on April 3, 2001vs. the Milwaukee Brewers.

Berkman and Mark Lamb each homered in a three-run eighth to knotthe game at 4-4 after pinch hitter Ryan Spilborghs belted atwo-run shot to highlight a three-run burst in the top half forthe Rockies.

Biggio, who was saluted with a standing ovation prior to eachat-bat, grounded out in the first against Aaron Cook beforelining a single to center in the third and reaching on aninfield hit in the fifth.

Third baseman Garrett Atkins had to go far behind the third basebag to field the ball and proceeded to make a high throw tofirst that eluded Todd Helton. The crowd cheered loudly whenBiggio's 2,999th hit was announced.

Plate umpire Larry Poncino gave the sellout crowd of 42,537extra time to get on its feet when he headed to the dugout toget special commemorative baseballs prior to Biggio's nextat-bat.

After Cook fell behind 2-0, Biggio lined a single toright-center, scoring Brad Ausmus to tie the game at 1-1.Biggio, who also singled in the ninth, was thrown out trying tostretch the milestone hit into a double.

His teammates and family joined him between first and secondbase, while the appreciative crowd thanked him for nearly 20years of hard-nosed play. The loudest ovation came betweeninnings, when recently retired Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwellcame out of the dugout to join in on the honoring of hislong-time former teammate.

But the celebration did not last long. Reliever Trever Milleryielded a one-out double to Atkins in the bottom of the frameand, after Chad Qualls came on, Spilborghs belted his secondpitch into the bullpen in right-center field.

Chris Iannetta added an RBI single later in the inning to makeit 4-1. Iannetta also homered earlier in the contest.

However, Colorado's lead also was short-lived. In the bottom ofthe eighth, Berkman homered off reliever LaTroy Hawkins to makeit 4-2 and, after Mark Loretta singled to center with two outs,Lamb sent a 1-0 pitch into the bullpen to tie the game.

The Astros then put runners on first and second, but MannyCorpas got Morgan Ensberg to bounce out.

Cook held the Astros to a run and seven hits in seven inningswhile striking out two and walking one, but he remained winlesssince May 26. It was the best effort by a Colorado starter onthe road trip, as the rotation had gone 0-4 with a 10.05 ERA inits first six games away from home.

Houston starter Roy Oswalt allowed one run and nine hits inseven gutsy innings. Oswalt, who has won just once in his lastnine starts, struck out four and walked two.

The Astros' maligned bullpen has an National League-high 5.33ERA and has more blown saves (14) this season than saves (13).

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
COLORADO 5
HOUSTON 8 FINAL</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COLORADO (5) AT HOUSTON (8) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COLORADO 3RD: C Iannetta homered to left. A Cook singled to center.
W Taveras reached on bunt single to catcher, A Cook out at third. K Matsui flied
out to center. M Holliday singled to center, W Taveras to third. T Helton
flied out to right. (1 Run, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 7TH: B Ausmus singled to center. E Bruntlett sacrificed to
catcher, B Ausmus to second. O Palmeiro hit for R Oswalt. O Palmeiro grounded
out to pitcher. C Biggio singled to center, B Ausmus scored, C Biggio out
stretching at second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, HOUSTON 1.

COLORADO 8TH: T Miller relieved R Oswalt. T Helton fouled out to third.
G Atkins doubled to deep left center. R Spilborghs hit for B Hawpe. C Qualls
relieved T Miller. R Spilborghs homered to right center, G Atkins scored.
T Tulowitzki reached on infield single to shortstop. T Tulowitzki stole second.
C Iannetta singled to right, T Tulowitzki scored. J Baker hit for A Cook.
D Borkowski relieved C Qualls. J Baker grounded into double play, second to
shortstop to first, C Iannetta out at second.(3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
COLORADO 4, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 8TH: R Spilborghs in right field. L Hawkins relieved A Cook.
H Pence grounded out to third. L Berkman homered to left. C Lee fouled out to
second. M Loretta singled to center. M Lamb homered to right center,
M Loretta scored. B Ausmus singled to right. M Corpas relieved L Hawkins.
L Scott hit for E Bruntlett. L Scott walked, B Ausmus to second. M Ensberg hit
for D Borkowski. M Ensberg grounded out to second. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
COLORADO 4, HOUSTON 4.

COLORADO 11TH: B Moehler relieved D Wheeler. T Tulowitzki homered to left
center. C Iannetta grounded out to second. C Sullivan hit for J Julio.
C Sullivan struck out swinging. W Taveras grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 11TH: B Fuentes relieved J Julio. L Scott struck out swinging.
C Burke hit for B Moehler. C Burke flied out to right. C Biggio reached on
infield single to shortstop. H Pence doubled to center, C Biggio to third.
L Berkman hit by pitch. C Lee homered to left, C Biggio, H Pence and L Berkman
scored. (4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 8.</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
COLORADO 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0

10 11 R H E
-- -- - - -
COLORADO 0 1 5 14 1
HOUSTON 0 4 8 16 0 (FINAL 11)

BATTERIES: COL - AARON COOK, LATROY HAWKINS (8TH), MANNY CORPAS (8TH), JEREMY
AFFELDT (9TH), JORGE JULIO (10TH), BRIAN FUENTES (11TH) AND
CHRIS IANNETTA

HOU - ROY OSWALT, TREVER MILLER (8TH), CHAD QUALLS
(8TH), DAVE BORKOWSKI (8TH), DAN WHEELER (9TH), BRIAN MOEHLER
(11TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS


WP - BRIAN MOEHLER (1-2)
LP - BRIAN FUENTES (0-3)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: COL - CHRIS IANNETTA (2) OFF ROY OSWALT IN THE 3RD, 0 ON
RYAN SPILBORGHS (3) OFF CHAD QUALLS IN THE 8TH, 1 ON
TROY TULOWITZKI (8) OFF BRIAN MOEHLER IN THE 11TH, 0 ON

HOU - LANCE BERKMAN (12) OFF LATROY HAWKINS IN THE 8TH, 0 ON
MIKE LAMB (7) OFF LATROY HAWKINS IN THE 8TH, 1 ON
CARLOS LEE (15) OFF BRIAN FUENTES IN THE 11TH, 3 ON


TIME: 3:44 ATT: 42,537

PROBABLES: COL - JOSH FOGG (3-6, 4.81)
HOU - CHRIS SAMPSON (6-5, 3.71)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COLORADO (5) AT HOUSTON (8) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Colorado Starting Lineups -- W Taveras CF, K Matsui 2B, M Holliday LF, T Helton 1B,
G Atkins 3B, B Hawpe RF, T Tulowitzki SS, C Iannetta C, A Cook RHP.

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Biggio 2B, H Pence CF, L Berkman RF, C Lee LF,
M Loretta 3B, M Lamb 1B, B Ausmus C, E Bruntlett SS, R Oswalt RHP.

Umpires -- Larry Poncino (HP), Bruce Dreckman (1B), Gary Darling (2B),
Jerry Meals (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


COLORADO 1ST: W Taveras reached on infield single to shortstop. K Matsui
flied out to center. M Holliday singled to left, W Taveras to third. T Helton
grounded into double play, shortstop to first, M Holliday out at second.
(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 0, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 1ST: C Biggio grounded out to third. H Pence grounded out to
shortstop. L Berkman flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 0,
HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 2ND: G Atkins grounded out to shortstop. B Hawpe grounded out to
shortstop. T Tulowitzki struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
COLORADO 0, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: C Lee grounded out to shortstop. M Loretta singled to right.
M Lamb flied out to left. B Ausmus grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, M Loretta out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 0,
HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 3RD: C Iannetta homered to left. A Cook singled to center.
W Taveras reached on bunt single to catcher, A Cook out at third. K Matsui flied
out to center. M Holliday singled to center, W Taveras to third. T Helton
flied out to right. (1 Run, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 3RD: E Bruntlett lined out to right. R Oswalt singled to right.
C Biggio singled to center, R Oswalt to second. H Pence grounded out to pitcher,
R Oswalt to third, C Biggio to second. L Berkman popped out to shortstop.
(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 4TH: G Atkins lined out to third. B Hawpe doubled to right.
T Tulowitzki flied out to center. C Iannetta walked. A Cook grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, C Iannetta out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) COLORADO 1, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 4TH: C Lee singled to center. M Loretta struck out swinging, C Lee
stole second. M Lamb walked. B Ausmus struck out swinging. E Bruntlett
grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 5TH: W Taveras grounded out to second. K Matsui tripled to deep
center. M Holliday grounded out to pitcher. T Helton struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 5TH: R Oswalt grounded out to third. C Biggio reached on infield
single to third, C Biggio to second on throwing error by third baseman
G Atkins. H Pence grounded out to shortstop, C Biggio to third. L Berkman
grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) COLORADO 1, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 6TH: G Atkins grounded out to pitcher. B Hawpe grounded out to
first. T Tulowitzki singled to left. C Iannetta walked, T Tulowitzki to
second. A Cook struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1,
HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 6TH: C Lee flied out to right. M Loretta lined out to right.
M Lamb lined out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 7TH: W Taveras struck out swinging. K Matsui flied out to center.
M Holliday grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1,
HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 7TH: B Ausmus singled to center. E Bruntlett sacrificed to
catcher, B Ausmus to second. O Palmeiro hit for R Oswalt. O Palmeiro grounded
out to pitcher. C Biggio singled to center, B Ausmus scored, C Biggio out
stretching at second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, HOUSTON 1.

COLORADO 8TH: T Miller relieved R Oswalt. T Helton fouled out to third.
G Atkins doubled to deep left center. R Spilborghs hit for B Hawpe. C Qualls
relieved T Miller. R Spilborghs homered to right center, G Atkins scored.
T Tulowitzki reached on infield single to shortstop. T Tulowitzki stole second.
C Iannetta singled to right, T Tulowitzki scored. J Baker hit for A Cook.
D Borkowski relieved C Qualls. J Baker grounded into double play, second to
shortstop to first, C Iannetta out at second.(3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
COLORADO 4, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 8TH: R Spilborghs in right field. L Hawkins relieved A Cook.
H Pence grounded out to third. L Berkman homered to left. C Lee fouled out to
second. M Loretta singled to center. M Lamb homered to right center,
M Loretta scored. B Ausmus singled to right. M Corpas relieved L Hawkins.
L Scott hit for E Bruntlett. L Scott walked, B Ausmus to second. M Ensberg hit
for D Borkowski. M Ensberg grounded out to second. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
COLORADO 4, HOUSTON 4.

COLORADO 9TH: L Berkman at first base. M Loretta at shortstop. M Lamb at
third base. L Scott in right field. D Wheeler relieved D Borkowski. W Taveras
struck out swinging. K Matsui lined out to left. M Holliday grounded out to
second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 4, HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 9TH: C Biggio singled to right. H Pence grounded into fielder's
choice to shortstop, C Biggio out at second. J Affeldt relieved M Corpas.
L Berkman struck out swinging. H Pence caught stealing second, catcher to
second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 4, HOUSTON 4.

COLORADO 10TH: T Helton struck out swinging. G Atkins struck out looking.
R Spilborghs struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 4,
HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 10TH: J Julio relieved J Affeldt. C Lee grounded out to third.
M Loretta singled to center. M Lamb struck out swinging. B Ausmus struck out
looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 4, HOUSTON 4.

COLORADO 11TH: B Moehler relieved D Wheeler. T Tulowitzki homered to left
center. C Iannetta grounded out to second. C Sullivan hit for J Julio.
C Sullivan struck out swinging. W Taveras grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 11TH: B Fuentes relieved J Julio. L Scott struck out swinging.
C Burke hit for B Moehler. C Burke flied out to right. C Biggio reached on
infield single to shortstop. H Pence doubled to center, C Biggio to third.
L Berkman hit by pitch. C Lee homered to left, C Biggio, H Pence and L Berkman
scored. (4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 8.</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">COLORADO (5) VS HOUSTON (8) - FINAL IN 11 INNINGS

COLORADO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
W Taveras cf 6 0 2 0 0 2 1 .312
K Matsui 2b 5 0 1 0 0 0 2 .301
M Holliday lf 5 0 2 0 0 0 1 .350
T Helton 1b 5 0 0 0 0 2 5 .313
G Atkins 3b 5 1 1 0 0 1 0 .246
B Hawpe rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .294
a-R Spilborghs ph-rf 2 1 1 2 0 1 0 .294
T Tulowitzki ss 5 2 3 1 0 1 1 .277
C Iannetta c 3 1 2 2 2 0 0 .216
A Cook p 3 0 1 0 0 1 4 .259
b-J Baker ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .237
L Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Corpas p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Affeldt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Julio p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-C Sullivan ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .444
B Fuentes p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 44 5 14 5 2 9 15

a-homered to right center for B Hawpe in the 8th; b-grounded to shortstop for
A Cook in the 8th; c-struck out swinging for J Julio in the 11th.

BATTING: 2B - B Hawpe (17, R Oswalt); G Atkins (19, T Miller). 3B - K Matsui
(5, R Oswalt). HR - C Iannetta (2, 3rd inning off R Oswalt 0 on, 0 Out), R
Spilborghs (3, 8th inning off C Qualls 1 on, 1 Out), T Tulowitzki (8, 11th
inning off B Moehler 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - C Iannetta 2 (15), R Spilborghs 2
(17), T Tulowitzki (36). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Helton 2,
A Cook 2. GIDP - T Helton, J Baker. Team LOB - 8.

BASERUNNING: SB - T Tulowitzki (4, 2nd base off C Qualls/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: E - G Atkins (7, throw). Outfield assists - W Taveras (C Biggio at
2nd base). DP: 1 (C Iannetta-K Matsui).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 6 1 5 1 0 0 0 .250
H Pence cf 6 1 1 0 0 0 1 .339
L Berkman rf-1b 5 2 1 1 0 1 4 .259
C Lee lf 6 1 2 4 0 0 0 .294
M Loretta 3b-ss 5 1 3 0 0 1 1 .328
M Lamb 1b-3b 4 1 1 2 1 1 2 .297
B Ausmus c 5 1 2 0 0 2 4 .264
E Bruntlett ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .261
b-L Scott ph-rf 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 .242
R Oswalt p 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .147
a-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .270
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Borkowski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-M Ensberg ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .213
D Wheeler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
d-C Burke ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .229

Totals 45 8 16 8 2 6 17

a-grounded to pitcher for R Oswalt in the 7th; b-walked for E Bruntlett in the
8th; c-grounded to second for D Borkowski in the 8th; d-flied out to right
for B Moehler in the 11th.

BATTING: 2B - H Pence (20, B Fuentes). HR - L Berkman (12, 8th inning off L
Hawkins 0 on, 1 Out), M Lamb (7, 8th inning off L Hawkins 1 on, 2 Out), C Lee
(15, 11th inning off B Fuentes 3 on, 2 Out). S - E Bruntlett. RBI - C Biggio
(27), L Berkman (46), M Lamb 2 (22), C Lee 4 (66). 2-out RBI - C Biggio, M Lamb
2, C Lee 4. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - E Bruntlett 1, L Berkman
3, M Ensberg 1. Team LOB - 9.

BASERUNNING: SB - C Lee (5, 2nd base off A Cook/C Iannetta). CS - H Pence (4,
2nd base by J Affeldt/C Iannetta).

FIELDING: DP: 2 (E Bruntlett-M Lamb, C Biggio-E Bruntlett-M Lamb).


----------------------------------------------------
COLORADO - 001 000 030 01 -- 5
HOUSTON - 000 000 130 04 -- 8

Two outs when winning run scored.
----------------------------------------------------

COLORADO ip h r er bb so hr era
A Cook 7 7 1 1 1 2 0 4.70
L Hawkins (B, 4) 2/3 4 3 3 0 0 2 4.87
M Corpas 2/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 2.77
J Affeldt 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.81
J Julio 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 6.08
B Fuentes (L, 0-3; B, 5) 2/3 3 4 4 0 1 1 3.34

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
R Oswalt 7 9 1 1 2 4 1 3.42
T Miller 1/3 1 1 1 0 0 0 7.91
C Qualls 0 3 2 2 0 0 1 4.50
D Borkowski 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.01
D Wheeler 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 5.87
B Moehler (W, 1-2) 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 5.79

C Qualls pitched to 3 batters in the 8th.

HBP - L Berkman (by B Fuentes). Pitches-strikes: A Cook 102-62; L Hawkins
10-8; M Corpas 14-5; J Affeldt 6-3; J Julio 20-16; B Fuentes 17-11; R Oswalt
114-79; T Miller 4-3; C Qualls 9-6; D Borkowski 6-4; D Wheeler 34-23; B Moehler
15-12. Ground balls-fly balls: A Cook 11-7; L Hawkins 1-1; M Corpas 2-0; J
Affeldt 0-0; J Julio 1-0; B Fuentes 0-1; R Oswalt 10-6; T Miller 0-1; C Qualls
0-0; D Borkowski 2-0; D Wheeler 1-1; B Moehler 2-0. Batters faced: A Cook 28; L
Hawkins 6; M Corpas 4; J Affeldt 1; J Julio 4; B Fuentes 6; R Oswalt 30; T
Miller 2; C Qualls 3; D Borkowski 1; D Wheeler 6; B Moehler 4.

UMPIRES: HP--Larry Poncino. 1B--Bruce Dreckman. 2B--Gary Darling. 3B--Jerry
Meals.

T--3:44. (Plus ceremonies delay totaling 7 minutes in the 7th). Att--42,537.

Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

Biggio gets 3,000th hit, Astros defeat Rockies in 11 innings

<h3>HOUSTON 8, COLORADO 5 (11 INNINGS)</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Troy Tulowitzki nearly spoiled a specialnight for Craig Biggio, but Carlos Lee made it all good lateron.

Lee hit a walk-off grand slam in the 11th inning as the HoustonAstros posted an 8-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies onThursday.

The winning blast came on a night that saw Biggio surpass themark of 3,000 career hits, becoming the 27th player in historyto reach the milestone and just the second player to collectfive hits while doing so.

"Honestly, I just feel that I played the game the same way theguys before me played," Biggio said. "They ran everything out,groundball, flyball. Guys like Frank Robinson who aren't on thelist, too, they played the game the right way. That's why I'mhonored with all these names I've been associated with."

The grand slam also came one-half inning after Tulowitzki hadgiven Colorado a brief 5-4 lead with a solo shot off relieverBrian Moehler (1-2).

With two outs in the 11th, Biggio beat out a grounder toshortstop off closer Brian Fuentes (0-3) to go 5-for-6 on thenight and give him 3,002 hits.

"It's a beautiful thing because that's the way he ran the firsttime he hit the ball," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "He'sbeen doing it ever since. Not because it was a close game or hewas smelling the hit, but it's because it's the way he's playedevery time."

The 20-year veteran joined Hall of famer George Brett as theonly members of the 3,000-hit club to collect five hits inreaching the plateau.

After Hunter Pence doubled to center field to put runners onsecond and third, Fuentes hit Lance Berkman with a pitch. Leethen smashed his 15th homer over the left field wall for thevictory.

"To battle like this and accomplish this, it makes it a lot morefun to win the game so (Biggio) can celebrate a lot better,"Lee said.

It was Lee's third homer in four games and the Astros' fifthgrand slam this season. Fuentes has blown three straight saveopportunities on Colorado's current road trip and five overallthis campaign.

"I'm just in a bad stretch right now," said Fuentes, who hadnever before blown as many as two consecutive saveopportunities. "I know I can get the job done. It just hasn'thappened right now."

Biggio, who entered needing three hits for 3,000, posted hissecond career five-hit game. The other came on April 3, 2001vs. the Milwaukee Brewers.

Berkman and Mark Lamb each homered in a three-run eighth to knotthe game at 4-4 after pinch hitter Ryan Spilborghs belted atwo-run shot to highlight a three-run burst in the top half forthe Rockies.

Biggio, who was saluted with a standing ovation prior to eachat-bat, grounded out in the first against Aaron Cook beforelining a single to center in the third and reaching on aninfield hit in the fifth.

Third baseman Garrett Atkins had to go far behind the third basebag to field the ball and proceeded to make a high throw tofirst that eluded Todd Helton. The crowd cheered loudly whenBiggio's 2,999th hit was announced.

Plate umpire Larry Poncino gave the sellout crowd of 42,537extra time to get on its feet when he headed to the dugout toget special commemorative baseballs prior to Biggio's nextat-bat.

After Cook fell behind 2-0, Biggio lined a single toright-center, scoring Brad Ausmus to tie the game at 1-1.

"A lot of things have happened here over the course of my20-year career here, but tonight is the best," Biggio said.

"I was just looking to pitch him the way I always pitched him,with sinkers hard and in," Cook said. "I think he's looking forthat pitch low and away. That last pitch was a 2-0, and I wastrying to make a good pitch and it got up a little."

Biggio, who also singled in the ninth, was thrown out trying tostretch the milestone hit into a double.

"Biggio is a gamer," Cook said. "To see him reach 3,000, my hatgoes off to him. I sort of wish it wouldn't have been off me.But to give up a hit like that, it's not something you are upsetabout."

His teammates and family joined him between first and secondbase, while the appreciative crowd thanked him for nearly 20years of hard-nosed play. The loudest ovation came betweeninnings, when recently retired Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwellcame out of the dugout to join in on the honoring of hislong-time former teammate.

"The way the fans treated me, I've said it for a long time, Ilove these guys, the city, I've worked hard here," Biggio said."And they appreciated that. Try to stay focused when you get astanding ovation every time you're out there. I'm very gratefuland very thankful for a lot of things."

But the celebration did not last long. Reliever Trever Milleryielded a one-out double to Atkins in the bottom of the frameand, after Chad Qualls came on, Spilborghs belted his secondpitch into the bullpen in right-center field.

Chris Iannetta added an RBI single later in the inning to makeit 4-1. Iannetta also homered earlier in the contest.

However, Colorado's lead also was short-lived. In the bottom ofthe eighth, Berkman homered off reliever LaTroy Hawkins to makeit 4-2 and, after Mark Loretta singled to center with two outs,Lamb sent a 1-0 pitch into the bullpen to tie the game.

The Astros then put runners on first and second, but MannyCorpas got Morgan Ensberg to bounce out.

Cook held the Astros to a run and seven hits in seven inningswhile striking out two and walking one, but he remained winlesssince May 26. It was the best effort by a Colorado starter onthe road trip, as the rotation had gone 0-4 with a 10.05 ERA inits first six games away from home.

Colorado's seven-game slide is frustrating manager Clint Hurdle.

"Tell me how we move forward after what we've been through,"Hurdle said. "They keep moving forward. We just have to find away to finish. We showed some backbone tonight. We're justmissing some areas to put games away."

Houston starter Roy Oswalt allowed one run and nine hits inseven gutsy innings. Oswalt, who has won just once in his lastnine starts, struck out four and walked two.

The Astros' maligned bullpen has an National League-high 5.33ERA and has more blown saves (14) this season than saves (13).