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Four-run eighth lifts Astros over Brewers

Aug 12, 2007 - 10:53 PM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Lance Berkman hit a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning to start a four-run rally, lifting the Houston Astros to a 6-4 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

Berkman snapped a 2-2 tie in the decisive frame with his 21st home run of the season against Carlos Villanueva (6-3). Luke Scott walked with one out in the inning and stole second after Wigginton popped out for the second out of the frame.

Following Jason Lane's walk, Chris Spurling was summoned from the bullpen and gave up a run-scoring double to Brad Ausmus, as the Houston lead swelled to two.

Ausmus redeemed himself after grounding into a double play that ended the fourth inning and spoiled a chance for Houston to get on the board.

"I was angry at myself for hitting into the double play with the bases loaded and one out," Ausmus said. "Over the next two innings, I was irate with myself. It was good to come up big late in the game, and this one turned out to be an important one. Those last few runs turned out to be important."

Mike Lamb was intentionally walked to load the bases before Eric Bruntlett capped off the inning with a two-run single, extending the Astros lead to four.

Mark McLemore (2-0) worked a perfect eighth inning to allow the Astros to record the win. Trever Miller allowed a two-run home run to J.J. Hardy, his 20th of the season, with two outs in the ninth before Brad Lidge recorded the final out for his eighth save.

On Saturday, Lidge blew his fifth save of the season, surrendering back-to-back home runs, allowing the Brewers to take a 7-4 lead in the ninth inning en route to the victory.

"We played well, but we lost a couple tough ballgames," said Houston manager Phil Garner. "I felt like last night they beat us. We didn't lose it, they just beat us. We bounced back today. It was a must-win, and it turned out to be a good win for us. Good job by Woody (Williams). Good job by everybody."

Craig Biggio, who was honored before the game for eclipsing the 3,000 hit plateau, delivered a solo blast in the fifth inning, his ninth of the season, to narrow a two-run Milwaukee lead. Ty Wigginton's first home run in an Astros uniform tied the game in the sixth inning.

"We had a tough one yesterday, but it's baseball, and you have to move on," Biggio said. "I mean mathematically we're not out of it. We played these guys tough. They took two out of three, but we had a 4-2 homestand. We have a big trip on the West Coast. Hopefully, we play well, and we will see where we stand when we come back."

Woody Williams scattered five hits over seven innings, allowing just two runs as the Astros snapped a six-game losing streak to the Brewers. The righthander struck out two and walked one but didn't factor in the decision.

"Defense has been helping me out, but I was also able to make good pitches when I needed to," Williams said. "Early in the year, everything was high, and I didn't have good control with my breaking stuff. This is the pitcher that I am. I think this is why they brought me over. I'm a little disappointed it took me this long to get going."

Claudio Vargas started for the Brewers and pitched well into the sixth inning. The righthander surrendered two runs on five hits while walking three and striking out four.

Geoff Jenkins picked up his first multi-home run game of the season and 10th of his career on Sunday. He hit two home runs in his first two at-bats to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning.

The 33-year-old left fielder has 207 career home runs in a Brewers uniform, one shy of Gorman Thomas for second place in the franchise record books. Robin Yount sits atop the list with 251 career home runs for the Brewers.

"Those runs that Bruntlett drove in, that was the killer right there," said Brewers manager Ned Yost. "And we left one out there too that changed the whole complexion of the game. (Ryan) Braun was left at third with one out after hitting the triple. If we get that run in right there, then (Derrick) Turnbow is pitching (in the eighth) instead of (Villanueva).

Other than Jenkins' homers, we really didn't do much with Williams. He is a veteran pitcher. He can command the fastball down and away, he changes speeds and has a good curve. We just didn't get anything going off him."