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Biggio, Scott help Astros break through against Zambrano

Aug 9, 2007 - 4:55 AM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros finally broke through against Carlos Zambrano.

Craig Biggio homered and Luke Scott drove in three runs as the Astros completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs with an 8-2 victory Wednesday.

Roy Oswalt threw six scoreless innings to help the Astros sweep the Cubs for the first time in Houston since taking a three-game series in 1999.

"Not many people have success against Zambrano," Scott said. "He has great velocity and his ball moves all over the place. We were able to capitalize on a few mistakes. Anytime you can get some runs on Zambrano is a good day."

Zambrano had dominated the Astros, not allowing an earned run in 24 2/3 innings before Wednesday. But that all changed in this one.

Biggio got Houston on the board with a solo homer and Scott drove in a pair with a triple to right-center in a three-run third inning.

The outburst against the normally stingy Zambrano helped Oswalt relax.

"Zambrano usually has great stuff and you know it's going to be a close game," Oswalt said. "I was trying not to give up anything. Once Biggio hit that home run, it gave me a little breathing room."

Berkman homered in the fifth to make it 4-0 and Mike Lamb doubled home a pair in a three-run sixth to help the Astros win for the fifth time in seven games.

"That was the swing of the game," Houston's Lance Berkman said of Scott's triple.

The two previous times Zambrano beat the Astros this season were both at Wrigley Field.

"It's different facing him at home," Berkman said. "It's a lot easier to hit the ball at home. He made mistakes and we hit them. When Biggio hit that home run, it felt like that might be enough with Roy on the mound."

Zambrano (14-8) entered the game with a career 10-5 record and 2.29 ERA vs. Houston, but he gave up eight hits and seven runs in 5 2/3 innings in his worst start since allowing seven runs and 13 hits to the Atlanta Braves on June 1.

"I didn't throw the ball where I wanted to," he said. "I made a lot of mistakes, and they're a team that makes you pay. The good news is, the other team (Milwaukee) also lost and we still have a long way to go."

"He was fighting himself today," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "We had to calm him down a couple of times."

Meanwhile, Oswalt snapped a four-game losing streak against Chicago by limiting them to just six hits in six innings en route to his season-high fourth straight win.

"I got in a little jam in the first inning," said Oswalt, who walked two before getting Cliff Floyd to ground into a double play. "I had a few men on (after that) but was able to throw some quality pitches when I needed them."

Ryan Theriot had three hits and an RBI for the Cubs (58-55), who have lost four straight and six of seven but remained one game behind the Brewers (60-55) for first place in the National League Central Division.

The Cubs have lost three straight games since Alfonso Soriano, who leads the team with 18 homers, tore his quadriceps on Sunday. They went 2-for-33 with runners in scoring position in the series.