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Matsui, Astros use four-run eighth to down Padres

Apr 23, 2008 - 4:40 AM By Ted Dunnam PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Miguel Tejada believes the Houston Astros' once-stagnant offense has finally discovered life, thanks in part to the return of Kazuo Matusi.

Tejada collected four hits for the second consecutive night and Matsui's two-run single highlighted a four-run, eighth-inning as the Astros posted an 11-7 win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.

Hunter Pence homered and Tejada drove in three runs for Houston, which pounded out 15 hits and scored nine runs in the final three innings en route to its season-high third straight win.

Houston blew a 7-3 lead but roughed up Heath Bell (0-2) for four runs in the eighth. Tejada said the Astros gained confidence from Sunday's come-from-behind victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Tuesday's outburst came on the heels of Monday's 10-3 victory in which they had set season highs for runs and hits (13).

"I think the game we played Sunday against Colorado gave more comfort to the whole team," Tejada said. "We now have confidence that we can come back.

"You could see it tonight. It's big having Kaz. He can steal bases, bunt and get hits. As for me, every time I get to the plate, I try to be a leadoff hitter with Lance (Berkman) and Carlos (Lee) behind me."

J.R. Towles led off the decisive frame with a single and Jose Cruz Jr. walked. After both runners advanced on a wild pitch, Matsui slapped a single to right for a 9-7 lead. Darin Erstad and Tejada followed with run-scoring doubles to make it 11-7.

Matsui, who missed 16 games while recovering from an anal fissure, was elated about playing a prominent role after only three games with the team.

"When I get the chance, I want to get a hit, get on base and let the other guys hit behind me," Matsui said. "I always have the feeling when I play the game, I play to win."

Bell made no excuses about his performance on the mound.

"I can't go out and give up hits left and right," Bell said. "Basically, there's no call for that. I let the team down. I was just not hitting my spots. I ain't going to let that happen again."

Jose Valverde (3-1) allowed the tying run to score when Khalil Green lofted a sacrifice fly in the eighth before rebounding with a scoreless ninth.

San Diego tied the game at 7-7 with four runs in the top half of the eight. Pinch hitter Callix Crabbe led off the inning with a single, Brian Giles followed with a run-scoring double and Paul McAnulty homered.

Adrian Gonzalez, who hit a three-run homer in the sixth, tripled and Greene capped the rally with a sacrifice fly to right field. Houston took a 4-3 lead in the sixth when Geoff Blum poked a two-out single to center and Pence followed his first home run of the season.

The Astros added three runs in the seventh off Padres reliever Joe Thatcher.

Matsui doubled and Erstad singled to start the inning. Tejada followed with a run-scoring single, Berkman added a sacrifice fly and Lee belted an RBI double to extend Houston's advantage to 7-3.

Padres starter Jake Peavy struggled, allowing four runs and seven hits in six innings. Prior to Tuesday, Peavy had allowed just four runs in 22 innings.

"I've pitched here plenty of times before and the ballpark has not come into play," Peavy said. "That being said, in any other park I would have gone six innings and given up one run tonight.

"It does frustrate you when a ball goes out in the front row at Williamsport (Little League World Series) distance. There were a lot of close pitches tonight, too, and I didn't get one call."

Peavy's counterpart Brandon Backe allowed three runs and four hits in seven innings.