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Berkman, Ausmus homer as Astros power past Giants

Thu 15th, May 2008

San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Miguel Tejada had three hits and drove in two runs as the Houston Astros doubled up the San Francisco Giants, 6-3, in the third test of a four-game series at AT&T Park.

Brian Moehler gave up three runs on eight hits in five innings but did not factor into the decision for Houston. Oscar Villarreal (1-3) recorded the final out in the sixth inning to pick up the win.

Lance Berkman and Brad Ausmus both hit two-run homers for the Astros, who improved to 10-2 in the month of May. Hunter Pence finished 2-for-4 and scored a run.

Pat Misch gave up three runs on seven hits and struck out six over six innings for the Giants, who have dropped seven of their last 10 outings. Jack Taschner (2-1) took the loss after yielding the go-ahead run in the seventh.

Aaron Rowand provided the offense with a two-run homer. Ray Durham, Bengie Molina, John Bowker and Jose Castillo each collected two hits.

"It is frustrating. We couldn't cash in on our opportunities and it came back to haunt us," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. "Tonight wasn't a good night for us with runners in scoring position."

The clubs were tied at three heading into the seventh. Taschner replaced Misch and issued a leadoff walk to Jose Cruz, who took second on a sacrifice bunt by Michael Bourn. After Kazuo Matsui popped out in foul territory, Billy Sadler entered the game and Tejada greeted him with a shot back through the middle that scored Cruz and gave Houston the lead.

In the eighth, Pence lined a single and Ausmus tattooed the first pitch he saw from Sadler over the wall in left field for his first home run of the season.

Doug Brocail worked around a leadoff single by Bowker in the eighth and Jose Valverde tossed a scoreless ninth to nail down his 10th save of the season.

The Astros erupted for three runs in the first. Matsui hit a grounder to center field, stole second and scored on a single by Tejada. Berkman then clubbed his 14th home run of the season.

San Francisco evened the score with three runs in the second. Rowand followed a leadoff single by Molina with his fifth homer of the year. Consecutive singles by Bowker and Castillo put runners on first and second. Moehler got Emmanuel Burriss to ground into a force out at second. Misch then laid down a bunt to Moehler. Bowker broke for home on the play and scored when Moehler's throw eluded Ausmus at the plate.

Game Notes

Berkman is batting .560 with six home runs and 17 RBI during his 13-game hitting streak...Pence extended his hit streak to a career-high 12 games...The Astros are 13-4 this season when Tejada scores a run and drives in a run...Valverde has not allowed a run in his last 13 appearances...Ausmus' last home run came against the Chicago Cubs on August 8, 2007 in Houston...San Francisco left 10 men on base, while the Astros stranded nine...Houston's Chris Sampson (2-3) and San Francisco's Tim Lincecum (5-1) are scheduled to start the series finale on Thursday afternoon...Attendance was 33,070.

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