After a long. almost three month journey, the Astros returned to an even record at 43-43 by defeating the Dodgers Saturday afternoon 4-2 behind the pitching of first time all-star
Roy Oswalt, who
earned his 12 win of the season.
Orlando Palmeiro hit Jeff Weaver's first-pitch of the second inning for a home run and gave Houston a 1-0 lead. It was Palmeiro's third homer of the year.
After the Dodgers tied it at 1-1, future Hall of Famer
Craig Biggio singled in the sixth and advanced to third on
Lance Berkman's double. He
scored on a wild pitch by Weaver for the go-ahead run.
Mike Lamb followed with a double off the right-field wall for a 3-1 lead.
The Dodgers loaded the bases in the sixth inning to
chase Oswalt. Reliever
Chad Qualls threw a wild pitch to let in a run, but struck out former bluebonnet stepper Jeff Kent and Jayson Werth to end the threat.
Willy Taveras' sacrifice fly to right drove in
Jose Vizcaino to make it 4-2 in the seventh.
Russ Springer pitched a perfect eighth and
Brad Lidge worked the ninth for his 19th save in 22 chances.
The Astros have won six of seven and 15 of 19 to climb back to .500 for the first time since April 22 when they were 8-8.
Oswalt is 9-1 with a 2.07 ERA in 10 starts at home this season. He went 6 1-3 innings and allowed two runs on nine hits and a walk, striking out seven. Oswalt has a decision in all of his starts this season.
The Astros will try to extend their winning streak entering the All-Star break tomorrow at 1:05,
Brandon Backe (7-5, 5.09) vs. lefty Odalis P?rez (4-5, 4.75), FSSW.
