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Astros end skid, cool off Rays

Jun 21, 2008 - 3:13 AM ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- At least for one night, the Tampa Bay Rays couldn't pull out a late inning rally at home.

Roy Oswalt scattered seven hits in 7 2/3 innings as the Houston Astros defeated the Rays, 4-3, on Friday, ending the Astros' eight-game losing streak.

Carlos Lee had two doubles and two RBI as Houston handed the Rays only their fifth home loss in their last 30 games at Tropicana Field.

Tampa Bay was coming off a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs, who had the best record in baseball, but the Rays were lethargic against the Astros.

"Good pitching stops good hitting," Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. "These guys have been really hot and playing well and they've been hitting the ball well. Roy was real good today."

Oswalt (6-7) won for the first time in his last five road starts. He allowed two runs, walked two and struck out five.

"I didn't put too much pressure on myself," Oswalt said. "I was trying to throw a quality start more than anything. I don't remember anyone hitting the ball hard. It felt good. I threw some quality pitches and got some quick outs.

"It's good to end the losing streak. We need to keep winning, for sure."

With two out and two on in the eighth inning, Doug Brocail replaced Oswalt to face Cliff Floyd, who represented the go-ahead run. But Brocail retired Floyd on a grounder to first.

Jose Valverde got his 17th save despite allowing a one-out, solo home run to Dioner Navarro.

"Oswalt is dangerous," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "We pitched well. We made some mistakes defensively. We just could not break through on him tonight. He was very good."

Matt Garza (5-4) allowed seven hits, four runs (three earned), walked two and struck out eight. Garza lost for the first time in seven home starts.

"I threw well," Garza said. "I'm not going to call it a great game but I followed a great game plan. I just left a couple pitches up and out."

Lee's two-run double in the first spotted Houston a 2-0 lead. Eric Hinske's RBI single in the bottom of the inning made it 2-1.

"They put together a couple of hits in the first that were seeing-eye ground balls," Garza said. "Just got to tip your cap to them."

The Astros built a 4-1 lead in the fifth. Kazuo Matsui had an RBI double and Lance Berkman a sacrifice fly.

"I thought Garza threw really well, exceptionally well," Maddon said. "We definitely pitched well enough to win tonight."