GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: HOUSTON (56-67) at SAN DIEGO (65-57)

NL: HOUSTON at SAN DIEGO

<div class="pre">NL AT SAN DIEGO - PITCHING CHANGE
SDG: TREVOR HOFFMAN (2-3, 2.14) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 2, SAN DIEGO 5

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M LORETTA (.282, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at SAN DIEGO

<div class="pre">NL AT SAN DIEGO - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: T Hoffman relieved H Bell.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 2
SAN DIEGO 5 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M Loretta (.282, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at SAN DIEGO

<div class="pre">NL AT SAN DIEGO - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY MIKE LAMB SCORED MARK LORETTA.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M LAMB ON FIRST, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 3
SAN DIEGO 5 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: T WIGGINTON (.293, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at SAN DIEGO

<div class="pre">NL AT SAN DIEGO - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: C Lee hit for T Wigginton.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M LAMB ON FIRST, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 3
SAN DIEGO 5 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C Lee (.301, 24 HR, 97 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at SAN DIEGO

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

BATTERIES: HOU - MATT ALBERS, MARK MCLEMORE (6TH), JUAN GUTIERREZ (8TH) AND
ERIC MUNSON

SDG - GREG MADDUX, JUSTIN HAMPSON (7TH), CLA MEREDITH
(7TH), HEATH BELL (8TH), TREVOR HOFFMAN (9TH) AND JOSH BARD

HOME RUNS: HOU - LANCE BERKMAN (24) OFF GREG MADDUX IN THE 1ST, 0 ON

SDG - ADRIAN GONZALEZ (20) OFF MATT ALBERS IN THE 6TH, 0 ON</div>

 

Maddux helps Padres avert sweep

<h3>SAN DIEGO 5, HOUSTON 3</h3>By Tim Powers
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - Greg Maddux threw a gem and the San DiegoPadres' offense came to life in time to avoid a sweep as theydefeated the Houston Astros, 5-3, on Sunday.


Maddux (9-9) picked up his second straight victory in allowingone run on two hits over six innings. The 41-year-old veteranrecovered from a first-inning home run by Lance Berkman toretire 16 of the next 17 batters he faced.


While also contributing offensively with a pair of singles - hisfirst multi-hit effort in two years - Maddux showed trademarkefficiency on the mound, allowing just two baserunners whilethrowing 73 pitches - 51 for strikes.


The future Hall of Famer did not issue a walk for the secondconsecutive outing, and struck out three batters.


Justin Hampson surrendered a run in the seventh before HeathBell pitched a scoreless eighth. Trevor Hoffman allowed a runin the ninth and worked out of a two-on, two-out jam to converthis 31st save in 34 opportunities.


After scoring just three runs in the first two games of theseries, San Diego put together two rallies to salvage a 3-3homestand.


Adrian Gonzalez's leadoff single in the fourth sparked a two-runrally against Houston starter Matt Albers. Gonzalez padded theadvantage with a solo shot as part of a three-run sixth thatgave San Diego a 5-1 edge.


Albers (3-6) lasted 5 2/3 innings while yielding five runs oneight hits. The 24-year-old righthander, who made his majorleague debut at Petco Park and lost that one as well, recordedthree strikeouts and walked three batters.


Juan Gutierrez pitched a 1-2-3 eighth for Houston in his majorleague debut.


Berkman had a pair of hits and scored both runs for the Astros,who had won five of seven.

 

NL: HOUSTON at SAN DIEGO

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

BATTERIES: HOU - MATT ALBERS, MARK MCLEMORE (6TH), JUAN GUTIERREZ (8TH) AND
ERIC MUNSON

SDG - GREG MADDUX, JUSTIN HAMPSON (7TH), CLA MEREDITH
(7TH), HEATH BELL (8TH), TREVOR HOFFMAN (9TH) AND JOSH BARD


WP - GREG MADDUX (9-9)
LP - MATT ALBERS (3-6)
SAVE - TREVOR HOFFMAN (31)

HOME RUNS: HOU - LANCE BERKMAN (24) OFF GREG MADDUX IN THE 1ST, 0 ON

SDG - ADRIAN GONZALEZ (20) OFF MATT ALBERS IN THE 6TH, 0 ON


TIME: 2:22 ATT: 37,628

PROBABLES: SDG - CHRIS YOUNG (9-4, 1.93)
NYM - JOHN MAINE (13-7, 3.59)

PROBABLES: WAS - TIM REDDING (2-3, 2.88)
HOU - JASON JENNINGS (2-8, 6.16)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at SAN DIEGO

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (3) VS SAN DIEGO (5) - FINAL

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .230
M Loretta 2b 4 1 1 0 0 1 0 .284
L Berkman rf 4 2 2 1 0 1 1 .268
M Lamb 1b 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 .291
T Wigginton 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .293
b-C Lee ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .301
J Lane cf 3 0 1 1 1 1 0 .180
E Bruntlett ss 4 0 1 0 0 2 3 .255
E Munson c 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .263
M Albers p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .118
M McLemore p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-L Scott ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .257
J Gutierrez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 32 3 6 3 2 7 9

a-struck out swinging for M Mclemore in the 8th; b-popped out to third for T
Wigginton in the 9th.

BATTING: HR - L Berkman (24, 1st inning off G Maddux 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - L
Berkman (77), J Lane (26), M Lamb (38). 2-out RBI - L Berkman, J Lane. Runners
left in scoring position, 2 out - E Bruntlett 2, E Munson 1. GIDP - C Burke.
Team LOB - 4.

BASERUNNING: SB - E Bruntlett (5, 2nd base off G Maddux/J Bard), J Lane (1,
2nd base off C Meredith/J Bard).

FIELDING: Outfield assists - C Burke (J Bard at Home). DP: 2 (T Wigginton-M
Loretta-M Lamb, E Bruntlett-M Loretta-M Lamb).


SAN DIEGO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
B Giles cf-rf 4 0 3 1 0 0 2 .306
M Giles 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .223
A Gonzalez 1b 4 2 2 1 0 0 1 .270
K Greene ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .237
R Mackowiak rf-lf 4 0 0 1 0 2 0 .191
T Sledge lf 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 .208
J Hampson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Meredith p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
H Bell p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-M Bradley ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .355
T Hoffman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
K Kouzmanoff 3b 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 .236
J Bard c 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .258
G Maddux p 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 .156
a-M Cameron ph-cf 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 .249

Totals 28 5 8 5 4 4 9

a-walked for G Maddux in the 6th; b-grounded to first for H Bell in the
8th.

BATTING: 2B - B Giles (19, M Albers); K Greene (30, M Albers). HR - A Gonzalez
(20, 6th inning off M Albers 0 on, 0 Out). SF - T Sledge. RBI - R Mackowiak
(1), T Sledge (21), A Gonzalez (69), M Cameron (62), B Giles (35). 2-out RBI -
M Cameron, B Giles. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - K Greene 1. GIDP
- K Kouzmanoff, M Giles. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: E - K Kouzmanoff (15, throw). DP: 1 (M Giles-K Greene-A Gonzalez).



----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 100 000 101 -- 3
SAN DIEGO - 000 203 00x -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
M Albers (L, 3-6) 5 2/3 7 5 5 3 3 1 6.14
M McLemore 1 1/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 3.79
J Gutierrez 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00

SAN DIEGO ip h r er bb so hr era
G Maddux (W, 9-9) 6 2 1 1 0 3 1 3.90
J Hampson 1/3 1 1 1 0 0 0 3.62
C Meredith 2/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.34
H Bell (H, 25) 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 2.43
T Hoffman (S, 31) 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 2.30

HBP - K Kouzmanoff (by M Albers). Pitches-strikes: M Albers 89-56; M McLemore
19-9; J Gutierrez 13-9; G Maddux 73-51; J Hampson 4-2; C Meredith 9-7; H Bell
11-6; T Hoffman 22-15. Ground balls-fly balls: M Albers 10-4; M McLemore 0-3; J
Gutierrez 1-1; G Maddux 9-6; J Hampson 0-1; C Meredith 1-0; H Bell 2-0; T
Hoffman 0-1. Batters faced: M Albers 26; M McLemore 5; J Gutierrez 3; G Maddux
20; J Hampson 2; C Meredith 3; H Bell 3; T Hoffman 6.

UMPIRES: HP--Todd Tichenor. 1B--Gary Darling. 2B--Larry Poncino. 3B--Bruce
Dreckman.

T--2:22. Att--37,628.
Weather: 78 degrees, sunny. Wind: 12 mph, left to
right.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at SAN DIEGO

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
HOUSTON 3
SAN DIEGO 5 FINAL</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at SAN DIEGO

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (3) VS SAN DIEGO (5) - FINAL

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .230
M Loretta 2b 4 1 1 0 0 1 0 .284
L Berkman rf 4 2 2 1 0 1 1 .268
M Lamb 1b 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 .291
T Wigginton 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .293
b-C Lee ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .301
J Lane cf 3 0 1 1 1 1 0 .180
E Bruntlett ss 4 0 1 0 0 2 3 .255
E Munson c 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .263
M Albers p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .118
M McLemore p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-L Scott ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .257
J Gutierrez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 32 3 6 3 2 7 9

a-struck out swinging for M Mclemore in the 8th; b-popped out to third for T
Wigginton in the 9th.

BATTING: HR - L Berkman (24, 1st inning off G Maddux 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - L
Berkman (77), J Lane (26), M Lamb (38). 2-out RBI - L Berkman, J Lane. Runners
left in scoring position, 2 out - E Bruntlett 2, E Munson 1. GIDP - C Burke.
Team LOB - 4.

BASERUNNING: SB - E Bruntlett (5, 2nd base off G Maddux/J Bard), J Lane (1,
2nd base off C Meredith/J Bard).

FIELDING: Outfield assists - C Burke (J Bard at Home). DP: 2 (T Wigginton-M
Loretta-M Lamb, E Bruntlett-M Loretta-M Lamb).


SAN DIEGO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
B Giles cf-rf 4 0 3 1 0 0 2 .306
M Giles 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .223
A Gonzalez 1b 4 2 2 1 0 0 1 .270
K Greene ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .237
R Mackowiak rf-lf 4 0 0 1 0 2 0 .191
T Sledge lf 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 .208
J Hampson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Meredith p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
H Bell p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-M Bradley ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .355
T Hoffman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
K Kouzmanoff 3b 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 .236
J Bard c 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .258
G Maddux p 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 .156
a-M Cameron ph-cf 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 .249

Totals 28 5 8 5 4 4 9

a-walked for G Maddux in the 6th; b-grounded to first for H Bell in the
8th.

BATTING: 2B - B Giles (19, M Albers); K Greene (30, M Albers). HR - A Gonzalez
(20, 6th inning off M Albers 0 on, 0 Out). SF - T Sledge. RBI - R Mackowiak
(1), T Sledge (21), A Gonzalez (69), M Cameron (62), B Giles (35). 2-out RBI -
M Cameron, B Giles. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - K Greene 1. GIDP
- K Kouzmanoff, M Giles. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: E - K Kouzmanoff (15, throw). DP: 1 (M Giles-K Greene-A Gonzalez).



----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 100 000 101 -- 3
SAN DIEGO - 000 203 00x -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
M Albers (L, 3-6) 5 2/3 7 5 5 3 3 1 6.14
M McLemore 1 1/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 3.79
J Gutierrez 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00

SAN DIEGO ip h r er bb so hr era
G Maddux (W, 9-9) 6 2 1 1 0 3 1 3.90
J Hampson 1/3 1 1 1 0 0 0 3.62
C Meredith 2/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.34
H Bell (H, 25) 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 2.43
T Hoffman (S, 31) 1 2 1 0 1 2 0 2.09

HBP - K Kouzmanoff (by M Albers). Pitches-strikes: M Albers 89-56; M McLemore
19-9; J Gutierrez 13-9; G Maddux 73-51; J Hampson 4-2; C Meredith 9-7; H Bell
11-6; T Hoffman 22-15. Ground balls-fly balls: M Albers 10-4; M McLemore 0-3; J
Gutierrez 1-1; G Maddux 9-6; J Hampson 0-1; C Meredith 1-0; H Bell 2-0; T
Hoffman 0-1. Batters faced: M Albers 26; M McLemore 5; J Gutierrez 3; G Maddux
20; J Hampson 2; C Meredith 3; H Bell 3; T Hoffman 6.

UMPIRES: HP--Todd Tichenor. 1B--Gary Darling. 2B--Larry Poncino. 3B--Bruce
Dreckman.

T--2:22. Att--37,628.
Weather: 78 degrees, sunny. Wind: 12 mph, left to
right.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at SAN DIEGO

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (3) AT SAN DIEGO (5) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOUSTON 1ST: C Burke grounded out to second. M Loretta grounded out to
pitcher. L Berkman homered to left. M Lamb lined out to second. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, SAN DIEGO 0.

SAN DIEGO 4TH: A Gonzalez singled to center. K Greene doubled to deep
center, A Gonzalez to third. R Mackowiak grounded out to first, A Gonzalez
scored, K Greene to third. T Sledge hit sacrifice fly to center, K Greene
scored. K Kouzmanoff flied out to left. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1,
SAN DIEGO 2.

SAN DIEGO 6TH: A Gonzalez homered to right. K Greene grounded out to
third. R Mackowiak lined out to first. T Sledge walked. K Kouzmanoff hit by
pitch, T Sledge to second. J Bard walked, T Sledge to third, K Kouzmanoff to
second. M Cameron hit for G Maddux. M McLemore relieved M Albers. M Cameron
walked, T Sledge scored, K Kouzmanoff to third, J Bard to second. B Giles
singled to left, K Kouzmanoff scored, J Bard thrown out at home.
(3 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, SAN DIEGO 5.

HOUSTON 7TH: B Giles in right field. R Mackowiak in left field. J Hampson
relieved G Maddux. M Cameron in center field. L Berkman reached on infield
single to third. M Lamb popped out to shortstop. C Meredith relieved
J Hampson. T Wigginton grounded out to third, L Berkman to second. J Lane
singled to center, L Berkman scored. J Lane stole second. E Bruntlett struck
out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 2, SAN DIEGO 5.

HOUSTON 9TH: T Hoffman relieved H Bell. M Loretta reached on bunt single to
third, M Loretta to second on throwing error by third baseman K Kouzmanoff.
L Berkman struck out swinging. M Lamb singled to center, M Loretta scored.
C Lee hit for T Wigginton. C Lee popped out to third. J Lane walked, M Lamb to
second. E Bruntlett struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) HOUSTON 3,
SAN DIEGO 5.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at SAN DIEGO

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (3) AT SAN DIEGO (5) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Burke LF, M Loretta 2B, L Berkman RF, M Lamb 1B,
T Wigginton 3B, J Lane CF, E Bruntlett SS, E Munson C, M Albers RHP.

San Diego Starting Lineups -- B Giles CF, M Giles 2B, A Gonzalez 1B, K Greene SS,
R Mackowiak RF, T Sledge LF, K Kouzmanoff 3B, J Bard C, G Maddux RHP.

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

Gametime Weather: 78 degrees, Sunny, wind left to right at 12 mph.


HOUSTON 1ST: C Burke grounded out to second. M Loretta grounded out to
pitcher. L Berkman homered to left. M Lamb lined out to second. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, SAN DIEGO 0.

SAN DIEGO 1ST: B Giles doubled to deep right center. M Giles struck out
swinging. A Gonzalez lined out to first. K Greene grounded out to third.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, SAN DIEGO 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: T Wigginton flied out to center. J Lane struck out swinging.
E Bruntlett grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1,
SAN DIEGO 0.

SAN DIEGO 2ND: R Mackowiak struck out swinging. T Sledge walked.
K Kouzmanoff grounded into double play, third to second to first, T Sledge out at
second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, SAN DIEGO 0.

HOUSTON 3RD: E Munson popped out to second. M Albers flied out to left.
C Burke grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1,
SAN DIEGO 0.

SAN DIEGO 3RD: J Bard struck out looking. G Maddux singled to center.
B Giles singled to left, G Maddux to third. M Giles grounded into double play,
shortstop to second to first, B Giles out at second.(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 1, SAN DIEGO 0.

HOUSTON 4TH: M Loretta grounded out to second. L Berkman grounded out to
shortstop. M Lamb flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1,
SAN DIEGO 0.

SAN DIEGO 4TH: A Gonzalez singled to center. K Greene doubled to deep
center, A Gonzalez to third. R Mackowiak grounded out to first, A Gonzalez
scored, K Greene to third. T Sledge hit sacrifice fly to center, K Greene
scored. K Kouzmanoff flied out to left. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1,
SAN DIEGO 2.

HOUSTON 5TH: T Wigginton grounded out to shortstop. J Lane flied out to
left. E Bruntlett singled to left. E Bruntlett stole second. E Munson
grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, SAN DIEGO 2.

SAN DIEGO 5TH: J Bard grounded out to first. G Maddux reached on infield
single to shortstop. B Giles grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop,
G Maddux out at second. M Giles grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop,
B Giles out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, SAN DIEGO 2.

HOUSTON 6TH: M Albers struck out looking. C Burke grounded out to pitcher.
M Loretta struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, SAN DIEGO 2.

SAN DIEGO 6TH: A Gonzalez homered to right. K Greene grounded out to
third. R Mackowiak lined out to first. T Sledge walked. K Kouzmanoff hit by
pitch, T Sledge to second. J Bard walked, T Sledge to third, K Kouzmanoff to
second. M Cameron hit for G Maddux. M McLemore relieved M Albers. M Cameron
walked, T Sledge scored, K Kouzmanoff to third, J Bard to second. B Giles
singled to left, K Kouzmanoff scored, J Bard thrown out at home.
(3 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, SAN DIEGO 5.

HOUSTON 7TH: B Giles in right field. R Mackowiak in left field. J Hampson
relieved G Maddux. M Cameron in center field. L Berkman reached on infield
single to third. M Lamb popped out to shortstop. C Meredith relieved
J Hampson. T Wigginton grounded out to third, L Berkman to second. J Lane
singled to center, L Berkman scored. J Lane stole second. E Bruntlett struck
out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 2, SAN DIEGO 5.

SAN DIEGO 7TH: M Giles flied out to right. A Gonzalez popped out to
shortstop. K Greene flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 2,
SAN DIEGO 5.

HOUSTON 8TH: H Bell relieved C Meredith. E Munson walked. L Scott hit for
M McLemore. L Scott struck out swinging. C Burke grounded into double play,
second to shortstop to first, E Munson out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 2, SAN DIEGO 5.

SAN DIEGO 8TH: J Gutierrez relieved M McLemore. R Mackowiak struck out
looking. M Bradley hit for H Bell. M Bradley grounded out to first.
K Kouzmanoff lined out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 2, SAN DIEGO 5.

HOUSTON 9TH: T Hoffman relieved H Bell. M Loretta reached on bunt single to
third, M Loretta to second on throwing error by third baseman K Kouzmanoff.
L Berkman struck out swinging. M Lamb singled to center, M Loretta scored.
C Lee hit for T Wigginton. C Lee popped out to third. J Lane walked, M Lamb to
second. E Bruntlett struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) HOUSTON 3,
SAN DIEGO 5.</div>

 

Maddux helps Padres avert sweep

<h3>SAN DIEGO 5, HOUSTON 3</h3>By Tim Powers
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - Greg Maddux threw a gem and the San DiegoPadres' offense came to life in time to avoid a sweep as theydefeated the Houston Astros, 5-3, on Sunday.


Maddux (9-9) picked up his second straight victory and 342nd ofhis career, moving him into a tie with Tim Keefe for ninth placeon the all-time list.


The 41-year-old veteran allowed one run on two hits over sixinnings and recovered from a first-inning home run by LanceBerkman to retire 16 of the next 17 batters he faced.

While also contributing offensively with a pair of singles - hisfirst multi-hit effort in two years - Maddux showed trademarkefficiency on the mound, allowing just two baserunners whilethrowing 73 pitches - 51 for strikes.


"I got a couple of pitches up, but for the most part I kept themdown and good things happened," Maddux said. "The balls thatthey hit were right at somebody. Then the bullpen came in andpitched pretty clean."


The future Hall of Famer did not issue a walk for the secondconsecutive outing, and struck out three batters.


"How many times have we seen that?" Berkman said of Maddux'sperformance. "The guy still knows how to pitch. He's special."

"Greg has been pitching well the last number of starts, so Ithink this was just indicative of what he has been doinglately," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Here again, in Gregfashion, a lot of strikes and moving the ball in and out. Ithought he choked off a lot of right-handed hitters as well ashe has all year."


Justin Hampson surrendered a run in the seventh before HeathBell pitched a scoreless eighth. Trevor Hoffman allowed a runin the ninth and worked out of a two-on, two-out jam to converthis 31st save in 34 opportunities.


After scoring just three runs in the first two games of theseries, San Diego put together two rallies to salvage a 3-3homestand.


Adrian Gonzalez's leadoff single in the fourth sparked a two-runrally against Houston starter Matt Albers. Gonzalez padded theadvantage with a solo shot as part of a three-run sixth thatgave San Diego a 5-1 edge.


"I was happy to be able to get things going with that firstrun," Gonzalez said. "It was good to take the lead for Madduxwith the way he was pitching. We needed to go out there and wintoday so it was big for us."


Albers (3-6) lasted 5 2/3 innings while yielding five runs oneight hits. The 24-year-old righthander, who made his majorleague debut at Petco Park and lost that one as well, recordedthree strikeouts and walked three batters.


"I made a bad pitch to Gonzalez (in the sixth) and then I gottwo quick outs, but I didn't slow the game down enough," Alberssaid. "I got behind a couple of batters and couldn't finish offthe inning. I just couldn't quite get out of it."

Juan Gutierrez pitched a 1-2-3 eighth for Houston in his majorleague debut.


Berkman had a pair of hits and scored both runs for the Astros,who had won five of seven.


"We put ourselves in a position to have a nice stretch here, butwe let it fizzle," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "We eitherneed to pitch a shutout or we need to score some more runs."