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Montero, Young help Diamondbacks topple Astros

Aug 17, 2008 - 3:45 AM By Ted Dunnam PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Miguel Montero and Chris Young became part of franchise history Saturday, each belting grand slams to power the Arizona Diamondbacks to an 11-5 triumph over the Houston Astros.

Montero's blast highlighted a five-run first inning while Young's home run came in the sixth, both off Astros starter Brandon Backe. The power surge represented the first time in club history that the Diamondbacks hit two grand slams in one game.

Montero, a reserve catcher who went 3-for-5 with a career-high five RBI, also hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. Young's shot was his 17th ; Montero hit his second and third.

"It was perfect count both times, and (Backe) gave me a good pitch to hit," Montero said. "I was looking for a fastball the whole time. The first one, I hit it good, it just happened. The second one, I caught a fastball in.

"It's something I can't control. I just go out there and do my best. Whenever I play, I do my best."

Yusmeiro Petit (2-3) worked seven effective innings, allowing two runs and four hits while striking out five.

It was the type of performance Arizona manager Bob Melvin has come to expect from Petit.

"He seemed to find the strike zone better than in the first inning," Melvin said. "He had a good changeup and slider and got good results.

"He gives us big wins at a time when we need it. He quietly goes about his business and prepares as well as anyone we have. Whatever role you give him, he goes out there and handles it."

Adam Dunn opened the scoring for Arizona by smacking an RBI single after a walk to Stephen Drew and single by Young. Mark Reynolds then drew a walk and, one out later, Montero homered to cap the rally in the first. Reynolds later singled home Dunn in the fifth for a 7-1 lead.

In the sixth, Montero doubled, Chris Burke singled and Drew walked prior to Young's grand slam to left, which knocked Backe (7-12) out of the game.

"It's been a great series for everybody," Young said. "We have (Roy) Oswalt tomorrow, and we've got to get ready for him. (Montero) came through for us. He busted the game open for us. When I got up there, I got a 3-2 pitch and got an opportunity."

The righthander allowed 11 earned runs, nine hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings.

"I just didn't have anything," Backe said. "I didn't have a pitch to throw inside to right-handed or left-handed hitters.

"I was just trying to last through the sixth inning, but I came up one batter short. A lot of the time I wasn't missing by much. I just wanted to try to salvage some innings for the bullpen."

Ty Wigginton went 3-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 13 games and laced an RBI triple in the ninth, when the Astros scored three runs against reliever Leo Rosales.

"(Petit) did a great job. Anytime you start a game with a big lead like that, the pitcher just has to keep throwing strikes and changing speeds," Wigginton said. "And that's exactly what he did. He pumped the zone. He did what you're supposed to do when you're ahead."

Houston has been outscored, 23-7, in its last two games following an eight-game winning streak.