Adam Everett hit a bases loaded double in the bottom of the 8th to clear the bases and lead the Astros to a 5-3 win Friday night at Minute Maid Park.
The Rangers jumped to an early lead, touching starter Roy Oswalt for 3 runs on 11 hits in his 6 1/3 innings of work. Oswalt left with the based loaded and one out in the 7th. Chad Qualls relieved and struck out Kevin Mench, then retired Brad Wilkerson on a grounder to kill the Rangers threat, leaving the Astros trailing 3-2. Qualls also pitched a perfect 8th inning to set up the good guys for the rally, and earned his 2nd win of the season.
The bottom of the 8th began with a walk to Lance Berkman , who started for the first time this year in right field and had struck out in his three previous at bats. Morgan Ensberg followed with a hard liner to third on a 3-0 count for the 1st out. Mike Lamb struck out for the 2nd out, then consecutive walks to Brad Ausmus and pinch hitter Eric Munson loaded the bases as Ranger reliever Joaqu?n Benoit struggled to find the plate.
Everett jumped on a 3-2 off speed pitch and hit it over Mench’s head to the Crawford wall to plate the game winning runs.
Brad Lidge took over in the ninth and allowed a leadoff single, then struck out Michael Young and Mark Teixeira on nasty sliders before retiring Hank Blalock on a pop up for his 12th save of the season and a much needed win for the Astros.
“That was the heart of their lineup and he did a pretty good job,” Phil Garner said. “His slider was sharp and his fastball was strong. This was as well as he’s pitched this year.”
Lamb and Ensberg each had a pair of hits and Ausmus had an RBI single. The struggling Preston Wilson also drove in a run on a sac fly.
“I know we’re a better club than we showed in that last series,” Garner said. “This is more like our team.”
Saturday matchup is Andy Pettitte vs. Kevin Millwood at 6:05 CST.