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Berkman continues to terrorize Reds as Astros win again

May 9, 2007 - 5:08 AM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Lance Berkman breaks out the lumber when he visits Cincinnati.

Berkman hit his second homer of the series - a two-run shot in the seventh - to give the Houston Astros a 7-6 victory over the Reds on Tuesday.

Berkman's homer was his fourth of the season and 14th between Riverfront Stadium and Great American Ball Park, the most of any Reds' opponent. He hit a solo shot in the series opener on Monday.

"This is a good hitter's park," Berkman said. "It is one of things you can't explain."

The eight-year veteran became the latest hitter to add to the Reds' bullpen woes. Luke Scott hit a three-run blast in the eighth inning off Todd Coffey on Monday, leading Houston to a 5-2 triumph.

Berkman's blast off an 0-1 offering came against rookie Brad Salmon (0-1). Craig Biggio reached on a one-out walk to set the stage.

"I didn't know what he threw," Berkman said. "Just from watching him pitch to the guys in front of me, he had a pretty good fastball. I thought that's what he would throw and he did. I wasn't trying to hit a home run. I was just trying to be quick."

Overall, the Cincinnati bullpen has allowed 13 runs in its last 15 1/3 innings and has allowed 19 of the 39 runs the Astros' have scored in their seven games.

Salmon described the sequence that led to the game-changing homer.

"I came inside on the first pitch," Salmon said. "I tried to go low and away with the second pitch but missed my spot. It was a little up. He's paid to hit mistakes and I made a mistake."

Salmon was promoted and Rheal Cormier designated for assignment on April 28 because as a hard thrower he gave the bullpen "a different look" according to Cincinnati manager Jerry Narron.

"We're going to give him opportunities," Narron said. "We're staying with those guys. They are capable of getting outs and that's what we expect." Morgan Ensberg added an insurance run with an RBI double down the third base line in the eighth for Houston, which has won six of the seven meetings this season.

Brad Lidge (2-0), who got the final out in the sixth, picked up the win. Dave Borkowski got the first out of the seventh and got into trouble. He walked Ken Griffey Jr. and allowed a single to Jeff Conine.

Right fielder Jason Lane made a spectacular sliding grab of a sinking line drive hit by Alex Gonzalez to preserve the one-run lead. Trever Miller then relieved Borkowski and struck out Adam Dunn on a curveball in the dirt to end the threat.

"Miller got the biggest out of the game," Garner said. "He struck out Adam Dunn with two on and two out in the seventh. I pitched him inside so he couldn't extend his arms. That set him up for the curve away," Miller said.

Chad Qualls logged the eighth and closer Dan Wheeler allowed a one-out homer to Brandon Phillips in the ninth before notching his seventh save in eight tries, five against Cincinnati.

Eric Milton looked to be in line for his first win after Griffey gave the Reds a 5-4 lead in the fifth with a two-run shot, his sixth of the season and 568th of his career. Griffey, who has four homers in his last eight games, is one shy of moving into a tie with Rafael Palmeiro for ninth on the all-time list.

Carlos Lee, who has been on tear, hitting .538 (14-for-26) in his last seven games, belted a two-run homer - his sixth of the season - in the first for the Astros, who have won five of seven.

"We depend on Lee and Berkman," Houston manager Phil Garner said. "But Lane did a good job late and so did Ensberg. They gave us a cushion." Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez allowed five runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings and still has not recorded a win since July of last season.