Myers: Extends streak
(c) Associated Press
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Evan Meek has had an All-Star season but Friday night's contest is one he'd like to forget. The Pittsburgh reliever entered the bottom of the eighth with a 1-0 lead. Houston had done little all night with Ross Ohlendorf and needed just one pitch to Pedro Feliz to douse a minor rally in the seventh.
So Meek merely had to get the top of the Astros order out in the eighth and they'd open their series with a road win. But that didn't happen. Angel Sanchez spanked a one-out single to right then Hunter Pence drew a five-pitch walk. Next, Carlos Lee roped a three-run homer into Williamsport to turn the entire game around. Geoff Blum, Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace followed with singles for an insurance run as the Astros bounced back with a 4-1 victory.
Wilton Lopez took the win after Brett Myers gave up just one run in seven innings. Myers did not earn a decision but he did extend his season-long streak of six-inning starts to 24. Brandon Lyon had a shaky ninth yet came away with the save as Brad Mills rested an ailing Matt Lindstrom.
The Astros are rebuilding their position in fourth place, now two games ahead of the Cubs. They hope to get a little more space on Saturday when Bud Norris (4-7) will pitch against lefty Paul Maholm (7-10) in a 6:05 Central contest. Norris is subbing for Nelson Figueroa whose first start of the year was pushed back after he complained of migraine-like symptoms on Friday.
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