Downs: One swing and three runs
(c) Associated Press
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Carlos Lee and Matt Downs each had three-run doubles to bash Colorado, 9-6, on Thursday night to open a four-game series. Lee added a sacrifice fly to total four RBIs and could have had more had he not been intentionally walked in the seventh just before Downs' pinch-hit gapper. Carlos reached 90 RBIs to top his total for last season.
Lee's double was a majestic shot up Tal's Hill in deadaway center that sailed over Dexter Fowler's head which opened up a 4-2 lead in the third they would never relinquish.
Henry Sosa lasted into the seventh, allowing three runs on nine hits. He left after giving up a solo shot to Kevin Kouzmanoff and a double by Wilin Rosario, who belted a three-run homer the following frame off Fernando Rodriguez that drew the Rockies within 8-6.
Mark Melancon notched his 20th save, noteworthy because the Astros have won just 54 games this year and Brandon Lyon was the closer for the first month.
Houston will try to make it two in a row on Friday when Brett Myers (6-13) takes the hill against lefty Drew Pomeranz (1-0) in a 7:05 Central contest. Plenty of good seats (about 30,000 of them if Thursday's crowd is any indication) remain.
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