Berkman’s big hits power sizzling Astros

Houston has won 12 out of 13 games.

HOUSTON (AP) — Lance Berkman hit a three-run homer and Randy Wolf shut down Pittsburgh after a shaky first inning as the Houston Astros continued their second-half surge with a 9-3 victory over the Pirates Tuesday night.

Berkman had an RBI double and scored three runs for the Astros, who have won four straight and 12 of 13.

Houston’s 34-16 record is the best in the majors since the All-Star break.

Wolf (10-11) allowed four hits and struck out four in seven innings to improve to 4-1 in nine starts since the Astros acquired him from San Diego on July 22. The Astros have won eight of the nine games Wolf has started for them.

Hunter Pence hit a ball that bounced off the top of the wall in right field for an RBI double in the sixth that prompted the second use ever of instant replay. Umpires looked at the replay and ruled that it was not a home run, upholding the original call.

Houston led 6-2 lead after four innings against Ross Ohlendorf (0-1), who was making his second career start.

The Pirates have lost four straight and 15 of 18.

The Pirates scored two runs in the first, after Wolf walked leadoff man Nate McLouth. Freddy Sanchez grounded out before Ryan Doumit lined an RBI single to left.

Adam LaRoche then doubled down the right-field line, scoring Doumit.

Darin Erstad and Miguel Tejada singled in the bottom of the first before Berkman drove a 2-1 pitch into the left-field porch for his 28th homer.

Erstad and Tejada both singled again in the third and this time, Berkman doubled to score Erstad and make it 4-2.

The Astros loaded the bases and tacked on another run later in the inning.

Michael Bourn singled with two outs in the Houston fourth, stole second and went to third on Ohlendorf’s balk. Erstad drove in Bourn with a double to left center.

Wolf retired 13 consecutive batters after LaRoche’s double.

Pinch-hitter Robinzon Diaz broke Wolf’s streak with a two-out single in the fifth, but McLouth popped out.

Berkman led off the Astros’ fifth with a single off reliever Jason Davis and scored again on Geoff Blum’s triple to the right-field corner. David Newhan added an RBI single in the inning to make it 8-2.

Steve Pearce hit his first career homer for the Pirates in the seventh, Pittsburgh’s first home run in 43 innings.