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Berkman goes 4 for 4 to key Astros' win

May 14, 2009 - 5:31 AM DENVER(AP) -- Mike Hampton was back at Coors Field on Wednesday night, and it definitely had a familiar feel for the left-hander.

Lance Berkman went 4 for 4 and the Houston Astros finished with 24 hits in a 15-11 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.

Berkman drove in two runs and scored three times for the Astros, who were one hit shy of their franchise record for a nine-inning game set during the second matchup in a doubleheader against Atlanta on May 30, 1976. Geoff Blum matched his career high with five RBIs.

"It was one of those old-school games around here," said Hampton, who pitched six innings to get the win against his former team. "There were a lot of runs, a lot of hits. You never know what's going to happen in this park and you've got to get as many runs as you can and fortunately we got enough."

Hampton (2-3) allowed five runs and seven hits to improve to 18-10 at Coors, the second-most wins by a left-hander in the ballpark's history. He also had two hits and scored twice.

It was the first time all nine starters have gotten at least two hits in a game in the National League since May 1, 1985, when Atlanta did it against Cincinnati.

Chris Iannetta hit his third career grand slam and drove in five for Colorado, which finished with 12 hits. Ian Stewart had a two-run drive for his third homer in two games and seventh this season.

"A swinging bat is a dangerous bat and the balls found holes," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.

Houston scored three runs in four of the first five innings to build a 12-3 lead. Berkman singled twice and walked against Jason Marquis to boost his career batting average against the right-hander to .511.

Miguel Tejada singled in Berkman in the third to give Houston a 4-3 lead. Hunter Pence added an RBI single and Blum drove in another run with a fielder's choice.

Blum's bases-loaded double made it 9-3 in the fourth.

"I think they must have turned off the humidor or something," Berkman said. "Maybe it was the atmospherics because that's how it used to be here. Balls were flying around or falling in everywhere."

Marquis (4-3) allowed nine runs and 10 hits in 3 2-3 innings, his shortest outing of the year.

"It felt like everything found a hole," Marquis said. "Mistakes they hit harder. It was just one of those nights."

Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki left for a pinch runner in the seventh inning after being hit on his left elbow by a pitch from Alberto Arias. Team officials said Tulowitzki had a contusion and would be evaluated again on Thursday.

Tejada, Pence, and Carlos Lee each had three hits for Houston.

Notes: Houston's Ivan Rodriguez, who is one home run shy of 300, got the night off. ... Colorado RHP Ryan Speier, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring, reported to Class A Modesto to begin a rehabilitation assignment. ... The 15 runs by Houston were a season high. ... The Astros' 24 hits were the most in the National League this season, topped only in the AL when Cleveland had 25 hits at New York on April 18. ... Colorado's Dexter Fowler stole second in the third for his 10th steal of the season and first since swiping five on April 27 against San Diego to tie a modern rookie record. ... Colorado's Jeff Francis has the most wins by a left-hander at 14-year-old Coors Field with 28. ... Tejada is hitting .478 (11 for 23) in his last six games.