NL: HOUSTON at ATLANTA <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HOUSTON (12) AT ATLANTA (11) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Houston Starting Lineups -- C Burke 2B, M Loretta 1B, L Berkman RF, C Lee LF, T Wigginton 3B, J Lane CF, E Bruntlett SS, B Ausmus C, W Williams RHP. Atlanta Starting Lineups -- W Harris LF, E Renteria SS, C Jones 3B, M Teixeira 1B, A Jones CF, B McCann C, J Francoeur RF, K Johnson 2B, J Reyes LHP. Umpires -- Larry Vanover (HP), Charlie Reliford (1B), Greg Gibson (2B), Paul Nauert (3B). Gametime Weather: 88 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind left to right at 8 mph. HOUSTON 1ST: C Burke singled to center. M Loretta flied out to right. L Berkman fouled out to catcher. C Lee grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, ATLANTA 0. ATLANTA 1ST: W Harris struck out swinging. E Renteria singled to center. C Jones grounded into fielder's choice to first, E Renteria out at second. M Teixeira flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, ATLANTA 0. HOUSTON 2ND: T Wigginton hit by pitch. J Lane walked, T Wigginton to second. E Bruntlett struck out swinging. B Ausmus singled to center, T Wigginton to third, J Lane to second. W Williams grounded into double play, third to first, J Lane out at third.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, ATLANTA 0. ATLANTA 2ND: A Jones homered to left. B McCann hit by pitch. J Francoeur lined out to right. K Johnson singled to right, B McCann to second. J Reyes singled to center, B McCann to third, K Johnson to second. W Harris grounded into fielder's choice to pitcher, B McCann out at home, K Johnson to third, J Reyes to second. E Renteria flied out to center. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, ATLANTA 1. HOUSTON 3RD: C Burke lined out to shortstop. M Loretta walked. L Berkman homered to left, M Loretta scored. C Lee safe at first on error by shortstop E Renteria. T Wigginton walked, C Lee to second. J Lane homered to right, C Lee and T Wigginton scored. E Bruntlett popped out to second. B Ausmus walked. W Williams flied out to center. (5 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) HOUSTON 5, ATLANTA 1. ATLANTA 3RD: C Jones singled to left. M Teixeira doubled to deep left, C Jones to third. A Jones grounded out to shortstop, C Jones scored. B McCann doubled to right, M Teixeira scored. J Francoeur singled to left, B McCann to third. K Johnson popped out to second. S Thorman hit for J Reyes. S Thorman struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, ATLANTA 3. HOUSTON 4TH: P Moylan relieved J Reyes. C Burke grounded out to third. M Loretta struck out swinging. L Berkman struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, ATLANTA 3. ATLANTA 4TH: W Harris doubled to deep center. E Renteria grounded out to third. C Jones grounded out to first, W Harris to third. M Teixeira homered to right center, W Harris scored. A Jones lined out to third. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, ATLANTA 5. HOUSTON 5TH: C Lee flied out to right. T Wigginton struck out looking. J Lane struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, ATLANTA 5. ATLANTA 5TH: B McCann singled to right center. J Francoeur flied out to right. K Johnson grounded into fielder's choice to second, B McCann out at second. Y Escobar hit for P Moylan. Y Escobar singled to center, K Johnson to third. W Harris tripled to deep right center, K Johnson and Y Escobar scored. E Renteria flied out to right. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, ATLANTA 7. HOUSTON 6TH: T Yates relieved P Moylan. E Bruntlett flied out to left. B Ausmus struck out looking. O Palmeiro hit for W Williams. O Palmeiro grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, ATLANTA 7. ATLANTA 6TH: D Borkowski relieved W Williams. C Jones walked. M Teixeira flied out to center. A Jones grounded out to shortstop, C Jones to second. B McCann walked. J Francoeur doubled to left, C Jones and B McCann scored, J Francoeur to third advancing on throw. K Johnson fouled out to third. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, ATLANTA 9. HOUSTON 7TH: O Dotel relieved T Yates. C Burke fouled out to third. M Loretta fouled out to first. L Berkman flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, ATLANTA 9. ATLANTA 7TH: C Woodward hit for O Dotel. C Woodward struck out looking. W Harris grounded out to second. E Renteria grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, ATLANTA 9. HOUSTON 8TH: R Soriano relieved O Dotel. C Lee singled to right. T Wigginton reached on infield single to shortstop, C Lee to second. W Harris at third base. M Diaz in left field. C Jones at shortstop. J Lane grounded into fielder's choice to third, C Lee safe at third on error by third baseman W Harris, T Wigginton to second. M Lamb hit for E Bruntlett. M Lamb homered to center, C Lee, T Wigginton and J Lane scored. B Ausmus struck out swinging. L Scott hit for D Borkowski. L Scott flied out to left. C Burke struck out swinging. (4 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Error) HOUSTON 9, ATLANTA 9. ATLANTA 8TH: M Loretta at shortstop. M Lamb at first base. C Qualls relieved D Borkowski. C Jones grounded out to second. M Teixeira struck out swinging. A Jones singled to left. A Jones caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 9, ATLANTA 9. HOUSTON 9TH: B Wickman relieved R Soriano. M Loretta popped out to pitcher. L Berkman popped out to shortstop. C Lee struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 9, ATLANTA 9. ATLANTA 9TH: B McCann grounded out to shortstop. J Francoeur reached on infield single to shortstop. K Johnson struck out swinging. C James hit for B Wickman. C James grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 9, ATLANTA 9. HOUSTON 10TH: R Mahay relieved B Wickman. T Wigginton struck out swinging. J Lane flied out to right. M Lamb singled to center. B Ausmus grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 9, ATLANTA 9. ATLANTA 10TH: W Harris singled to right center. M Diaz struck out swinging. C Jones grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, W Harris out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 9, ATLANTA 9. HOUSTON 11TH: C Biggio hit for C Qualls. C Biggio grounded out to third. C Burke grounded out to pitcher. M Loretta grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 9, ATLANTA 9. ATLANTA 11TH: T Miller relieved C Qualls. M Teixeira walked. A Jones struck out swinging. B McCann struck out swinging. J Francoeur hit by pitch, M Teixeira to second. K Johnson struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 9, ATLANTA 9. HOUSTON 12TH: L Berkman grounded out to third. C Lee singled to left. T Wigginton singled to right, C Lee to third. J Lane hit sacrifice fly to center, C Lee scored. T Wigginton to second on passed ball by B McCann. M Lamb safe at first on error by second baseman K Johnson, T Wigginton scored. B Ausmus walked, M Lamb to second. E Munson hit for T Miller. E Munson struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) HOUSTON 11, ATLANTA 9. ATLANTA 12TH: B Lidge relieved T Miller. C Miller hit for R Mahay. C Miller reached on infield single to second. W Harris struck out swinging. M Diaz homered to left, C Miller scored. C Jones walked. M Teixeira flied out to left. C Jones to second on wild pitch by B Lidge. A Jones struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 11, ATLANTA 11. HOUSTON 13TH: O Villarreal relieved R Mahay. C Burke walked. M Loretta sacrificed to first, C Burke to second. L Berkman intentionally walked. C Lee flied out to center. T Wigginton grounded into fielder's choice to third, L Berkman out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 11, ATLANTA 11. ATLANTA 13TH: M McLemore relieved B Lidge. B McCann lined out to left. J Francoeur struck out looking. K Johnson singled to left center. O Villarreal singled to left, K Johnson to second. W Harris struck out looking. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 11, ATLANTA 11. HOUSTON 14TH: J Lane hit by pitch. M Lamb grounded out to second, J Lane to second. B Ausmus struck out swinging. J Jennings hit for M McLemore. J Jennings singled to right, J Lane scored. C Burke struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 12, ATLANTA 11. ATLANTA 14TH: B Moehler relieved M McLemore. M Diaz singled to right. C Jones grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, M Diaz out at second. M Teixeira struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 12, ATLANTA 11.</div>
Jennings delivers clutch hit to lift Astros over Braves <h3>HOUSTON 12, ATLANTA 11</h3>By Phil Foley PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer ATLANTA (Ticker) - An unlikely hero helped the Houston Astrosavoid a sweep by the Atlanta Braves after both teams overcamefour-run deficits. Pitcher Jason Jennings' RBI single in the 14th inning lifted theAstros to a 12-11 victory over the Braves on Thursday in thefinale of a three-game series. Jennings, who came in as a pinch hitter because Houston had noposition players left on their bench, smacked a 2-1 offeringfrom Oscar Villarreal (1-1) into right field, plating JasonLane. "I went to put my spikes on in the ninth or 10th inning and itended up being my turn in the 14th," Jennings said. "I was justtrying to make solid contact, and put it in play. Just doanything and see what happened. I got into a good hitters countand was sitting fastball and that's what he threw." The hit was bittersweet for the 29-year-old righthander, who wasshelled for 11 runs in his start against the Padres on Sunday. "It helps a little bit to do something for the team on a day Iwas not pitching," Jennings said. "I know I'm not that bad of apitcher. It was a fluke game. But to be productive on a daywhen I wasn't pitching, helped out a little bit." Lane was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and advanced tosecond on Mike Lamb's ground out. After Ausmus struck outswinging, Jennings, who was a lifetime .219 (66-for-302) hitterin six seasons with the Rockies, delivered a two-out base hitfor his second hit and first RBI of the season. "Jennings is not just a hitting pitcher," Atlanta manager BobbyCox said. "You try to pitch him like a seventh place hitter andwe knew that. He's a good hitter. (Villareal) got behind 2-1and threw him a heater and he hit it." Rookie Mark McLemore (1-0) picked up the win after pitchingaround two hits in a scoreless 13th inning and Brian Moehlerslammed the door in the 14th to register his first career save. Atlanta seemed in control, leading 9-5, until Lamb hit apinch-hit homer off Rafael Soriano to dead center field in theeighth inning to tie the contest. The blast was the seventhgrand slam by the Astros this season, matching the franchiserecord set in 2001. "I don't have center field home-run power," Lamb joked. "I needto learn to pull the ball." "That was a big blow by Lamb," Houston manager Phil Garner said."That was the turning point." Two batters before the grand slam, the Braves also suffered ablow when shortstop Edgar Renteria sprained his right ankle onTy Wigginton's hot shot single. The injury necessitated ajuggling of the Atlanta defense. Chipper Jones moved toshortstop for the first time in seven years and left fielderWillie Harris made his major league debut at third base. Renteria will miss the next three to four games according toBraves manager Bobby Cox. "It was a pretty crazy game," Atlanta left fielder Matt Diazsaid. "You think you have it under control and Edgar makes agreat play and you're thinking, 'Why isn't he throwing it?' Andthen he can't even walk." Lane gave the Astros the lead in the 12th with a sacrifice flyto deep center field, allowing Carlos Lee to score. Lamb'sgrounder then skipped past the glove of second baseman KellyJohnson, bringing Wigginton around from second for an 11-9 edge.But Diaz answered in the bottom half with a two-run homer justover the left-center field wall off Astros closer Brad Lidge. Prior to blowing a four-run advantage, Atlanta started acomeback from a 5-1 deficit in the third inning. Andruw Jonesgrounded out to plate Chipper Jones and Brian McCann followedwith an RBI double to close the gap to 5-3. Mark Teixeira blasted two-run homer off Astros starter WoodyWilliams into the right-center field bleachers in the fourth toknot the game at 5-5. The 27-year old Teixeira is 3-for-11 withtwo home runs and six RBI in two games since joining theBraves. Atlanta speedster Willie Harris broke the tie in the fifth,plating Kelly Johnson and pinch hitter Yunel Escobar with atwo-out triple. Jeff Francoeur padded the lead in the sixth bysmashing a two-out, two-run double to give the Braves a 9-5edge. Williams allowed seven runs and a career-high 13 hits over fiveinnings. Atlanta rookie starter Jo-Jo Reyes allowed five runs - fourearned - and four hits with four walks over three frames. Thesouthpaw, who had allowed a gawdy 22 runs in 21 2/3 frames, wasoptioned to Class AAA Richmond after the game. Houston right fielder Lance Berkman hit a two-run homer in thethird, his 19th of the season and fourth in four games. Lane,who entered with a putrid .175 batting average, smacked athree-run homer into the Atlanta bullpen in the third inning togive Houston a 5-1 lead. Andruw Jones smashed his 21st homer of the season in the secondfor the Braves, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.
Jennings delivers clutch hit to lift Astros over Braves <h3>HOUSTON 12, ATLANTA 11 (14 INNINGS)</h3>By Phil Foley PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer ATLANTA (Ticker) - An unlikely hero helped the Houston Astrosavoid a sweep by the Atlanta Braves after both teams overcamefour-run deficits. Pitcher Jason Jennings' RBI single in the 14th inning lifted theAstros to a 12-11 victory over the Braves on Thursday in thefinale of a three-game series. Jennings, who came in as a pinch hitter because Houston had noposition players left on their bench, smacked a 2-1 offeringfrom Oscar Villarreal (1-1) into right field, plating JasonLane. "I went to put my spikes on in the ninth or 10th inning and itended up being my turn in the 14th," Jennings said. "I was justtrying to make solid contact, and put it in play. Just doanything and see what happened. I got into a good hitters countand was sitting fastball and that's what he threw." The hit was bittersweet for the 29-year-old righthander, who wasshelled for 11 runs in his start against the Padres on Sunday. "It helps a little bit to do something for the team on a day Iwas not pitching," Jennings said. "I know I'm not that bad of apitcher. It was a fluke game. But to be productive on a daywhen I wasn't pitching, helped out a little bit." Lane was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and advanced tosecond on Mike Lamb's ground out. After Ausmus struck outswinging, Jennings, who was a lifetime .219 (66-for-302) hitterin six seasons with the Rockies, delivered a two-out base hitfor his second hit and first RBI of the season. "Jennings is not just a hitting pitcher," Atlanta manager BobbyCox said. "You try to pitch him like a seventh place hitter andwe knew that. He's a good hitter. (Villareal) got behind 2-1and threw him a heater and he hit it." Rookie Mark McLemore (1-0) picked up the win after pitchingaround two hits in a scoreless 13th inning and Brian Moehlerslammed the door in the 14th to register his first career save. Atlanta seemed in control, leading 9-5, until Lamb hit apinch-hit homer off Rafael Soriano to dead center field in theeighth inning to tie the contest. The blast was the seventhgrand slam by the Astros this season, matching the franchiserecord set in 2001. "I don't have center field home-run power," Lamb joked. "I needto learn to pull the ball." "That was a big blow by Lamb," Houston manager Phil Garner said."That was the turning point." Two batters before the grand slam, the Braves also suffered ablow when shortstop Edgar Renteria sprained his right ankle onTy Wigginton's hot shot single. The injury necessitated ajuggling of the Atlanta defense. Chipper Jones moved toshortstop for the first time in seven years and left fielderWillie Harris made his major league debut at third base. Renteria will miss the next three to four games according toBraves manager Bobby Cox. "It was a pretty crazy game," Atlanta left fielder Matt Diazsaid. "You think you have it under control and Edgar makes agreat play and you're thinking, 'Why isn't he throwing it?' Andthen he can't even walk." Lane gave the Astros the lead in the 12th with a sacrifice flyto deep center field, allowing Carlos Lee to score. Lamb'sgrounder then skipped past the glove of second baseman KellyJohnson, bringing Wigginton around from second for an 11-9 edge.But Diaz answered in the bottom half with a two-run homer justover the left-center field wall off Astros closer Brad Lidge. Prior to blowing a four-run advantage, Atlanta started acomeback from a 5-1 deficit in the third inning. Andruw Jonesgrounded out to plate Chipper Jones and Brian McCann followedwith an RBI double to close the gap to 5-3. Mark Teixeira blasted two-run homer off Astros starter WoodyWilliams into the right-center field bleachers in the fourth toknot the game at 5-5. The 27-year old Teixeira is 3-for-11 withtwo home runs and six RBI in two games since joining theBraves. Atlanta speedster Willie Harris broke the tie in the fifth,plating Kelly Johnson and pinch hitter Yunel Escobar with atwo-out triple. Jeff Francoeur padded the lead in the sixth bysmashing a two-out, two-run double to give the Braves a 9-5edge. Williams allowed seven runs and a career-high 13 hits over fiveinnings. Atlanta rookie starter Jo-Jo Reyes allowed five runs - fourearned - and four hits with four walks over three frames. Thesouthpaw, who had allowed a gawdy 22 runs in 21 2/3 frames, wasoptioned to Class AAA Richmond after the game. Houston right fielder Lance Berkman hit a two-run homer in thethird, his 19th of the season and fourth in four games. Lane,who entered with a putrid .175 batting average, smacked athree-run homer into the Atlanta bullpen in the third inning togive Houston a 5-1 lead. Andruw Jones smashed his 21st homer of the season in the secondfor the Braves, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.
