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Ramirez's first homer sends Rangers past Astros

Jun 26, 2008 - 5:10 AM By Ted Dunnam PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Rookie Max Ramirez hit his first career home run - a two-run blast - in the fourth inning Wednesday, powering the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros.

With two outs and a runner on, Ramirez belted a fastball from Astros starter Roy Oswalt (6-8) into the loft in left-center of Minute Maid Park to turn a one-run deficit into a 3-2 lead.

"I can't believe it, my first hit and my first home run," said Ramirez, who singled in the second inning for his first major league hit. "The tempo of the game...it was very exciting. I felt better and better as it went along. I was definitely excited...my first game behind the plate."

Ramirez, appearing in just his second career major league game, was called up Saturday by the Rangers from Class AA Frisco to replace injured catcher Gerald Laird.

Rangers manager Ron Washington was pleased with quite impressed with his 23-year-old catcher.

"We knew he'd be able to swing the bat, but I wanted to see how he handled the pitching staff," Washington said. "You can definitely say he has a bright future."

Bourn gave Houston a 2-1 lead in the next inning, hitting his fourth home run of the season to right field following a two-out single from Oswalt.

Luis Mendoza (1-2) tossed three scoreless innings in relief of starter Scott Feldman to collect the win. Eddie Guardado bridged the gap to closer C.J. Wilson, who worked around a hit and a walk in the ninth to post his 16th save in 18 chances.

"I just tried to stay ahead with my fastball and challenge the hitters," Mendoza said. "I just tried to make good pitches. It's different being a starter and a reliever, but I just tried to keep the score the same."

After Ty Wigginton opened up the ninth with a double off Wilson, Michael Bourn drew a walk two batters later. Mark Loretta reached on a fielding error, setting the stage for Miguel Tejada, but the former American League MVP grounded out weakly to short.

"We got the bases loaded in the ninth," Bourn said. "That pitcher (Wilson) had nasty stuff. We gave it what we had.

Frank Catalanotto and Ian Kinsler each had two hits for the Rangers, who won for the third time in their last four games.

Texas started the scoring in the first inning on a leadoff triple from Ian Kinsler, who scored in the next at-bat on Ramon Vazquez's sacrifice fly.

Oswalt (6-8) pitched seven innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking none.

"I had pretty good stuff," Oswalt said. "I threw one pitch that came back over the plate, but other than that, it wasn't too bad. I'm getting good velocity on the fastball now. Over the years, throwing 200 innings-plus (each season), I think I started the year a little dead."

"Roy was awesome on the mound," Bourn said. "We just came up on the short end of the stick."

Just prior to the game's start, the Astros indefinitely suspended pitcher Shawn Chacon, who was involved in a physical altercation with team general manager Ed Wade.