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Pence, Lee help Astros snap four-game slide

Jul 18, 2007 - 3:46 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- In a difficult season for the Houston Astros, rookie Hunter Pence continues to stand out.

Pence and All-Star Carlos Lee each hit home runs as the Astros ended their four-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

With the game tied at 2-2 in the fifth inning, Pence delivered a leadoff solo blast - his 12th - against Nationals starter Tim Redding (1-2). The 24-year-old center fielder finished with two hits and leads all National League rookies in hits and RBI.

"It was a good team win. We came out playing hard and playing well," Pence said. "We played defense. We played a really good team game."

"I think (Pence has) got a little Vladimir Guerrero in him," Redding said. "He's not hitting .340 for nothing."

Houston took a 2-1 edge in the third, when Lee belted a 1-0 pitch over the left field wall for a two-run shot. It was the slugger's 18th homer of the season and second in as many nights.

Astros starter Chris Sampson (7-6) tossed 6 2/3 solid innings, allowing two runs and six hits with three strikeouts to pick up his first win since June 8 against the Chicago White Sox - a span of six starts.

In a rare relief appearance, Roy Oswalt retired the only batter he faced in the seventh, and reliever Dan Wheeler worked a scoreless eighth before giving way to closer Brad Lidge, who recorded his first save of the season.

"I think it's good for (Lidge)," Houston manager Phil Garner said. "It's different because no matter how well you're pitching, to close a game out... He's pitched so well, but there's always that you're hyped up more when you have that closing situation."

It also was Lidge's first save since September 28, 2006 at Pittsburgh.

"It definitely felt real good. The whole game felt good," Lidge said. "For me personally, it was nice to get that first one. It's been a while."

Houston's Luke Scott added an insurance run in the eighth with a sacrifice fly to plate Lance Berkman, who was hit by a pitch from reliever Luis Ayala to lead off the inning.

The win ended the Astros' seven-game road slide.

Ronnie Belliard stroked his fifth homer of the season in the first and Ryan Zimmerman led off the fourth with his 15th blast for Washington, which had its four-game home winning streak snapped.

"We pitched well. We played good defense," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "We just couldn't execute on offense. We don't have a power-heavy lineup, so we have to play good fundamental ball."

A former Astro, Redding went seven frames, allowing three runs and seven hits in his third start this season.