Pence: Opens the floodgates.
(c) Associated Press
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Not even getting no-hit for 6-2/3rds innings can cool the Astros off. Houston exploded for six runs in the eighth to post an 8-5 win over the Dodgers to sweep the Blue Crew in the weekend series. The Astros have now won eight of their last nine and have pulled to within 1-1/2 games of the division lead.
Shawn Chacon got another quality start and another no-decision to show for it but he will gladly settle for that the way things started after a two-run homer by James Loney in the bottom of the first. It stayed that way until the seventh when Hunter Pence broke up the no-no and eventually scored after three walks were issued. Los Angeles made it 3-1 in the bottom half but then Houston's bats woke up with five straight singles in the eighth then a two-run hit from Brad Ausmus took the game over.
Geoff Geary got the win and Jose Valverde entered to get the final out and his eighth save. Next, the Astros make the short flight to San Francisco to face the Giants Monday night in a 9:15 Central start. Roy Oswalt (3-3) is scheduled to pitch against lefty Barry Zito (0-7).
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