The short season-opening series with the Cardinals ended better than the way it started. Although he didn't get the win, Andy Pettitte pitched six solid innings to keep the Jakes at bay as the Astros won it 4-1 in the late innings.
An RBI single off Jason Marquis by Jeff Bagwell scored Craig Biggio in the bottom of the 3rd, putting the Astros in front. Reggie Sanders notched his second bomb in as many days, going yard to left in the 5th to tie the game. Pettitte worked through the 6th, allowing four hits, no walks, and three strikeouts. He also had a wild pitch in the 6th inning.
Houston finally broke through with the winning runs in the bottom of the 8th. With memorable smokestack Julian Tavarez on the mound, Morgan Ensberg walked and Jason Lane, setting up a Mike Lamb triple to center field which scored both runners. Willy Taveras then singled to drive in Lamb, chasing Switchboard from the game and giving the Astros a 4-1 lead. Brad Lidge cleaned up the 9th inning for his first save of the season.
Chad Qualls picked up the win, working perfect 7th and 8th innings. Five Astros had multi-hit games: Lane (3x4), Ensberg (3x3), Brad Ausmus (2x3), Taveras (2x4), and Adam Everett (2x5). The Astros get a day off on Thursday before the Reds come to town. Friday's matchup features Roger Clemens against Ramon Ortiz. First pitch is 7:05pm CDT.
