Astros upend Latos, Padres
Apr 17, 2011 - 2:14 AMVideo
Chris Johnson had a two-run homer to tie the game in the fourth as the Astros took a 2-1 lead in the series.
Mark Melancon got the win (1-0) by recording the final out in the seventh. Houston starting pitcher Nelson Figueroa went 6 2/3 innings allowing three runs -- two earned -- on six hits and struck out five.
Chase Headley had two doubles and two RBI for the Padres, who got 6 1/3 innings from starting pitcher Mat Latos (0-2). He gave up all five runs on four hits while fanning six.
With the game deadlocked at three apiece in the seventh, Latos was chased off the mound following two straight walks. Chad Qualls came on and retired Humberto Quintero on a fielder's choice before serving up an RBI single to Inglett to give the Padres a 4-3 lead.
Qualls then loaded the bases with a Michael Bourn walk and Angel Sanchez hit a deep grounder to short which Alberto Gonzalez couldn't make a play on. Quintero scored on the play to give the Astros a two-run cushion. The San Diego reliever, though, got out of the jam with a knee-buckling curveball to Hunter Pence for a third strike.
Houston kept the lead as Jeff Fulchino came in to get a 1-2-3 eighth inning and Brandon Lyon entered in the ninth to get his third save of the season.
Figueroa was tagged for two runs in the first on Headley's two-run double off the top of the hill in center to plate both Venable and Orlando Hudson.
Houston, though, got a run back in the home half on Pence's RBI double that sailed deep into left center.
Headley blasted another deep double, this time to left, to lead off the fourth. Brad Hawpe then brought him around on a line-drive single up the middle for a 3-1 lead.
The Astros answered back during the bottom of the inning to tie it up when Chris Johnson lifted a shot over the left field fence to score Carlos Lee, who reached on a one-out single.
Game Notes
Latos was 2-0 against Houston coming into Saturday's start...Hudson went 0- for-3 to snap an 11-game hitting streak in the loss...He did get a walk and has reached base safely in all 14 games this season.
- SAN DIEGO: 3
HOUSTON: 5
Final
Apr 16 9:41 PM - Angel Sanchez singled to short scored Humberto Quintero. Bases loaded with two outs and Hunter Pence due up.
Padres 3, Astros 5 Bot 7, 2 OutsApr 16 9:12 PM - Pinch-Hitter Joe Inglett single to center scored Chris Johnson. Runners on first and second with two outs and Michael Bourn due up.
Padres 3, Astros 4 Bot 7, 2 OutsApr 16 9:10 PM - Chris Johnson two-run Home Run (1) to left scored Carlos Lee, two-out. Matt Downs due up.
Padres 3, Astros 3 Bot 4, 2 OutsApr 16 8:12 PM - Brad Hawpe single to center scored Chase Headley. Runner on first with none out and Cameron Maybin due up.
Padres 3, Astros 1 Top 4, 0 OutsApr 16 8:01 PM - Hunter Pence double to center scored Michael Bourn. Runner on second with one out and Carlos Lee due up.
Padres 2, Astros 1 Bot 1, 1 OutApr 16 7:29 PM - Chase Headley double to center scored Will Venable and Orlando Hudson. Runner on second with one out and Brad Hawpe due up.
Padres 2, Astros 0 Top 1, 1 OutApr 16 7:14 PM - SAN DIEGO: 0
HOUSTON: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Apr 16 7:07 PM
Related News
- Brewers, RHP Chacin agree to two-year deal Dec 20
- Braves acquire OF Preston Tucker from Astros Dec 20
- MLB Note - San Diego Padres Lyles, Jordan Dec 19
- Jordan Lyles, Padres agree to $1 million, 1-year contract Dec 18
- Padres sign RHP Lyles to one-year contract Dec 18
- MLB Note - Houston Astros Rondon, Hector Dec 16
- MLB Note - San Diego Padres Ruiz, Jose Dec 16
- MLB Note - San Diego Padres Galvis, Freddy Dec 16
- Padres acquire SS Galvis from Phillies Dec 15
- MLB Note - Houston Astros Smith, Joe Dec 14
- Astros sign RHP Joe Smith to two-year deal Dec 13
- MLB Note - San Diego Padres Headley, Chase Dec 13