The Astros notched their first series sweep of the young season Sunday, thanks to more big hitting and a good outing by Roy Oswalt. With the 7-2 victory, the Astros improve to an NL-best 13-5.
Craig Biggio didn't waste any time getting Houston in front, driving Paul Maholm's first pitch of the game into the Crawford Boxes. Three batters later, with Lance Berkman on first after a single, Morgan Ensberg blasted another Maholm offering to the Conoco pump in left-center. Ensberg has a ten-game hitting streak and has hit eight bombs in his last eight games. Chris Burke later added another run with an RBI double, staking the Astros to a 4-0 lead.
Sparky pitched a great game, lasting seven innings and giving up only an RBI single to Jack Wilson in the 5th. He also fanned seven Buccos. This is the first time in Oswalt's career that he has started a season 4-0. Extra insurance runs came on two sac flies, by Biggio in the 4th and Brad Ausmus in the 7th. Mike Gallo allowed a solo poke by Freddy Sanchez in the 8th, but that would be the end of the scoring.
Chad Qualls and Russ Springer also contributed scoreless outings to the game. Pigpen has been on fire lately, going 4x4 with a walk today.
The homestand continues as the Dodgers come to town Monday night, with Andy Pettitte going against Derek Lowe. First pitch is 7:05pm CDT.
