Brandon Backe , after skipping his start on Wednesday, hurled six strong innings and limited the Nationals to three hits as the Astros won 6-1 and took the first game of the weekend series at Minute Maid Park.
Lance Berkman and Preston Wilson hit two-run homers in the same inning for the second consecutive game, this time in the sixth inning to break open a 2-1 contest. Willy Taveras led off the inning with a single, and scored when Berkman’s drive just reached the seats in right field. Morgan Ensberg then drew a walk, his sixth of the early season, before Wilson played brick wall ball to left center.
Backe gave up a solo home run to the Nat’s Jose Vidro leading off the fourth.
The Astros took the a 2-0 lead in the third. Adam Everett led off with a single, Backe popped up a bunt attempt, then Craig Biggio drove in Everett with a shot off the high wall in left for a double, his 607 of his career. Taveras followed with a single, advancing Biggio to third, and Berkman got the RBI with a sacrifice fly to left.
Rookie Taylor Buchholz made his major league debut to start the seventh and allowed one hit in 2 1-3 scoreless innings. Mike Gallo finished up in the ninth. Buchholz is slated to start Tuesday in San Francisco.
Saturday’s game time is 6:05, Roy Oswalt vs. Livan Hernandez.