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Hart and Ramirez power Brewers to rout of Astros

Aug 1, 2012 - 4:06 AM Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Corey Hart and Aramis Ramirez both hit three- run homers to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 10-1 win over the Houston Astros in the middle tilt of a three-game series at Miller Park.

Ramirez finished the game 3-for-4 with four RBI and Nyjer Morgan knocked in two runs with a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning for the Brewers, winners in three of five.

"That's what I'm here for," Ramirez said. " I'm here to drive in runs and I've been doing that lately."

Yovani Gallardo (9-8) earned the win after allowing just one run on three hits and striking out five over seven frames.

" It was a nice ball game, (Gallardo) was really good," Brewers manager Rob Roenicke said. "Great offense today. (Gallardo) wanted to go another inning, but I was iffy either war. His stuff was really good but his command was a little off."

Chris Snyder homered for Houston, which is 2-17 since the All-Star break.

Dallas Kuechel (1-4) was pegged with the loss after giving up seven runs on seven hits over just four-plus innings. Kuechel walked a career-high six and struck out just one.

"What was tough for us was (Kuechel's) command," Astros manager Brad Mills said. "Six walks is tough, and so was getting behind in the count. We have to readdress those issues."

The Brewers went up 1-0 in the first. Norichika Aoki singled, moved to second on Carlos Gomez's sacrifice, then scored when Ramirez roped a single to left.

Milwaukee added another run in the second. With Rickie Weeks on third, Gallardo laid down a perfect bunt to execute a safety squeeze. Gallardo pushed the ball up the first base line as Weeks broke for home. He scored without a throw and Gallardo had a base hit.

Snyder's homer in the third got Houston on the board.

The Brewers came back with three more in the home half to extend their lead to 5-1. Gomez doubled and Braun walked before Ramirez crushed a three-run shot into the seats in right-center.

Milwaukee added another trio of runs in the fifth when Hart lifted a homer. Ryan Braun and Ramirez singled to set the table for Hart who hammered his 20th homer of the season off the scoreboard in center.

Game Notes

Gallardo has won his past eight starts against Houston...Hart has appeared in 56 games at first base this season without committing an error. He is the only player in the majors to make at least 45 starts at first without committing an error...The loss gives the Astros their 10th consecutive series defeat. Houston has not won a series since it took two of three from the Cleveland Indians June 22-24.