Ausmus, Pence: scoring in pairs
(c) Associated Press
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What started out as a nailbiter turned into a laugher as the Astros scored eight runs in the seventh to take a 3-2 deficit and turn it into a 12-4 triumph. Lance Berkman's grand slam off Jack Taschner blew the game open but Houston didn't relax. Homers by Ty Wigginton and Hunter Pence piled it on for the team's second double-digit offensive output this week.
It didn't look like it would be that way as Giants ace Tim Lincecum was blowing away hitters while Roy Oswalt was giving up a flurry of singles. Then Brad Ausmus smoked a liner off Lincecum's leg that knocked the righthander out of the game. The Giants had to burn their bullpen, which proved unable to rise to the challenge.
Oswalt lasted seven innings to get the win, despite allowing ten hits and three walks. It extended Roy's career mark of ten or more wins in each of his eight big league seasons.
And a game recap wouldn't be complete without mentioning that Pence scored the go-ahead run much the same way he did against the Mets two weeks ago when he scored from second while tailgating the runner on third. This time, it was Ausmus who had to run interference just ahead of the Astros outfielder.
Houston looks to win their seventh straight Wednesday night in a 7:05 Central start with a pair of lefties on the hill. Barry Zito (6-14) will go for San Francisco while Randy Wolf (7-10, 1-0 as an Astro) gets the ball for Houston.
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