Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Associated Press
HOUSTON
Carlos Lee hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the seventh inning, Wandy Rodriguez struck out a career-high 13 and the Houston Astros rallied past the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4 on Monday night.
Trailing 3-2 in the seventh, a fielder’s choice grounder by J.D. Martinez tied the score and Lee extended his hitting streak to 10 games with his 14th homer off Jose Veras, putting the Astros ahead for the first time.
Rodriguez struck out six of the first nine batters he faced and didn’t allow a hit until Josh Harrison led off the fourth with a double and Andrew McCutchen followed with his 19th homer.
Neil Walker doubled and Ryan Doumit drove in the third run with a double. Rodriguez then walked Matt Diaz before finding his control and striking out the next three.
Rodriguez (10-9) struck out the side twice, including the fourth. He went seven innings, walked four and allowed four hits. It was the 10th double-digit strikeout game of Rodriguez’s career. Rodriguez had fanned 11 batters previously on three occasions.
Jason Grilli (1-1) pitched 11/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs and walked one. Juan Abreu struck out the first two batters of his major league debut for the Astros but then walked a batter and gave up an RBI triple to Ronny Cedeno in the ninth.
Mark Melancon got the final out for his 15th save in 20 chances.
An infield hit by Jose Altuve gave Houston its seventh run in the eighth.
Ross Ohlendorf, trying to rebound from four months on the disabled list, didn’t allow a hit until Martinez singled to left field with two outs in the fourth inning.
After Lee walked, Brian Bogusevic doubled to the left-field corner scoring Martinez. Jimmy Paredes then struck out to end the inning and keep the Pirates ahead 3-1.
Clint Barmes doubled to open the fifth and scored after two outs on a single by Jordan Schafer.
Ohlendorf allowed two earned runs over five innings.