Brandon Backe pitched into the 7th inning and three relievers mopped up the combined shutout as the Astros came out strong and won the second game of this home series.
Future Hall-of-Famer Craig Biggio led off the game for the good guys with a home run, upping his NL leadoff record total to 43.
Jose Vizcaino had a pair of run-scoring singles, Orlando Palmeiro plated a run with a single, Jason Lane had a run-scoring ground rule double, Brad Aumus hit a sac fly to score another, and Biggio scored on a balk.
Backe (9-8) made his third start since returning from the DL on Sept. 7 and got his first victory since July 18 at Pittsburgh. He pitched 6 2-3 innings, allowing six hits, walking one and striking out five. Mike Gallo finished the seventh after Backe hit consecutive batters. Russ Springer pitched the eighth and Ezequiel Astacio worked the ninth to preserve the shutout.
The Astros won their fourth straight game to stay a half-game ahead of Philadelphia in the NL wild-card race. The Phillies routed Florida 10-2 with a 9th inning rally.
Morgan Ensberg made his first appearance since injuring his wrist Sept. 5 when he was hit by a pitch from Philadelphia’s Brett Myers. Ensberg pinch hit in the seventh inning and beat out an infield single.
The series finale is set for tomorrow at 1:05, the battle of young lefties Wandy Rodriguez (9-8, 5.71) vs. Chris Capuano (17-9, 3.55)