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Myers' strong start lifts Astros over Brewers

Sep 14, 2010 - 4:53 AM HOUSTON(AP) -- Brett Myers spent the weekend away from the Astros celebrating the birth of his son.

On Monday night, he was back to work, becoming the eighth pitcher in 90 years to throw six or more innings in 30 consecutive starts in Houston's 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

"What an outstanding performance," Astros manager Brad Mills said. "He went home and his wife had a baby and he came back and he's still the same pitcher. What a great job he did. Those seven innings were outstanding."

Myers (12-7) pitched seven strong innings to extend his streak that is the longest since Curt Schilling went at least six innings in 35 straight games to start the 2002 season.

Myers found it difficult to return to the team.

"I saw him (Koda Bo) for two days," Myers said. "It was hard to leave knowing my family needed me and also my teammates needed me, my second family."

Myers also surpassed 200 innings for the second time in his career. He allowed six hits, one earned run and struck out 10. It was the 14th time in his career with 10 or more strikeouts.

"Everything stops when you cross the line," Myers said. "It's a different feeling. You can't think about the small things in life or even the big things. You have to have almost a split personality to go out there and compete and try to win ball games."

Brandon Kintzler (0-1) took the loss.

Matt Lindstrom got the final three outs for his 23rd save in 29 opportunities.

"Brett did an outstanding job," Lindstrom said. "We expect that from him because he's been doing it all year. The young guys went in and did a good job too, late in the games. It was good for them to get their feet wet."

With the score tied 1-1 in the seventh, pinch-hitter Geoff Blum singled and was sacrificed to second base by Michael Bourn. Jeff Keppinger walked and Hunter Pence struck out before Lee lined a single and pinch runner Jason Bourgeois scored the go-ahead run.

Chris Johnson added an RBI single before Brett Wallace was intentionally walked to load the bases. Tommy Manzella walked, forcing Lee home with the third run of the inning. It was Lee's 1,000th career run scored.

"Kintzler threw the ball pretty well," Brewers manager Ken Macha said. "He was one pitch away from getting out of the inning. He threw a slider to Lee. Still, give these guys credit."

Macha was most concerned about leaving runners stranded.

"We had a couple opportunities with the tying run at the plate," Macha said. "We were like 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Their guy pitched well. He had a good breaking ball, good curveball, good slider."

Bourn singled on the first pitch by Chris Narveson in the first inning. He stole second for his league-leading 50th steal and scored on Keppinger's double to the left field corner.

Bourn has stolen 50 bases in consecutive seasons.

Corey Hart hit his 28th homer on a Myers fast ball to start the fourth inning and tie the game 1-1. Carlos Gomez hit a RBI single off reliever Mark Melancon in the eighth.

Narveson allowed six hits and one earned run over six innings.

Myers said he'd wait until after the season to think about any statistical accomplishments.

"I don't even know who's done it or hasn't done it," he said. "When the season's over I might look back and reflect on it. At this point, I still have three starts and I've got to keep doing my job. I can't look at everything that's happened before me."

Notes: Since Aug. 1, Brandon Lyon leads the majors with 14 saves in 14 opportunities. The Astros have won six of their last seven games against the Brewers at Minute Maid Park. Prince Fielder missed the game with flu-like symptoms, snapping a string of playing in 327 straight games. It was the longest current streak in the major leagues and a Brewers record. Gomez's first inning steal gave the Brewers 16 consecutive successful steals.