Castro: Takes the trot
(c) Associated Press
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Jason Castro blasted his first big league homer and Hunter Pence belted his 11th on Thursday as the Astros jumped to a 7-0 lead and held on for a 7-5 victory over the Giants to finish a 2-4 homestand.
Struggling Wandy Rodriguez had a much-needed positive start, lasting six innings on four hits while allowing two unearned runs. Chris Sampson, in his first work since returning from the disabled list, also gave up a pair of unearned runs and Matt Lindstrom gave up a run in the ninth but held on for his 17th save.
Pence gave the Astros a lift in the first inning when he drilled a three-run, two-out homer to left-center to grab the lead. Castro, who had two hits, smashed his drive into the right field seats as his mother watched from the stands. Lance Berkman added a two-run double in the second and Michael Bourn tallied a score in the third.
While Houston's offense has been on the uptick, so are the defensive errors. The Astros made three. One error by Pedro Feliz was eventually followed by a two-run shot from Pat Burrell. Geoff Blum's error in the seventh set up RBI singles by Andres Torres and Aubrey Huff.
The Astros now travel north to Arlington for a weekend series with the Texas Rangers that concludes the Lone Star Series for this year. Texas has a 3-0 lead after a sweep last weekend. With Felipe Paulino moving to the DL, Josh Banks has been called up to start Saturday's game while Bud Norris will be activated for Monday's game. On Friday, Brian Moehler (0-4) will start the 7:05 Central contest against Colby Lewis (7-4) who tossed a complete game last weekend in Houston.
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