The Astros jumped to an early lead against the Professor and held on with a strong bullpen winning 5-4 Tuesday night in Chicago.
Roy Oswalt , fresh off the DL, pitched six innings and had a pair of hits at the dish in earning his sixth victory of the season. He allowed three runs on eight hits in his first win since May 3rd.
“It’s huge,” Craig Biggio said. “He is one of the nastiest guys in the National League. It’s a huge lift to get him back tonight.”
Biggio and Preston Wilson drove in two runs each and Adam Everett had a succesful squeeze play against Maddux.
Dan Wheeler and Trever Miller combined for a scoreless seventh inning, Chad Qualls allowed a run in the eighth but avoided further trouble by pitching out of a jamb, and Brad Lidge dominated the ninth for his 17th save.
The Astros go for the sweep this afternoon at 1:20, Fernando Nieve vs. Carlos Zambrano.