Byrdak: Watches winning run score.
(c) Associated Press
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The Astros exhausted their bullpen and blew an eighth-inning lead on their way to a 7-6 loss in 17 innings to Atlanta. Tiring Tim Byrdak allowed four straight singles, the final coming from Mark Teixeira to send what was left of the announced crowd of 24,169 home happy.
Ty Wigginton led the early Astros surge with a grand slam off Charlie Morton. Jose Valverde gave up a key two-run single by Yunel Escobar in the eighth which tied the game and set the stage for the Bataan Death March of Astro hurlers from the Turner Field bullpen.
Michael Bourn went 0-for-7, dropping his average down to .218. Wandy Rodriguez went just 5-1/3rd innings in a start where he needed to last longer.
Now the Astros move onto Pittsburgh with a 6:35 Central start scheduled for Monday. Runelvys Hernandez (0-2) better expect to go deep into the game as he opposes lefty Paul Dumatrait (3-4). One little percentage point is all that separates the Astros from the division cellar, currently rented by the Pirates. Houston has also called up reliever Chad Paronto from Round Rock to share the bullpen load and designated outfielder Reggie Abercrombie for assignment.
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