The Astros improved to 8-4 on the season and claimed the series against the D-Backs with an 8-5 win Sunday in Phoenix. The highlight of the game was the 7-run top of the 6th, which was capped by a three-run poke by Morgan Ensberg.
The teams traded one-run innings in the 3rd, with RBIs provided by a Lance Berkman double and a Jeff DaVanon single. The DBacks went on top 2-1 in the bottom of the 4th when Luis Gonzalez went yard. Fernando Nieve, making his first major league start, gave up two runs on four hits and two walks with 4 K's. He was pulled from the game after the leadoff hitter reached base in the bottom of the 5th. Mike Gallo and Russ Springer both completed the inning.
To this point, Snakes pitcher El Duque had not really struggled much. However, with two outs and runners at second and third, Arizona chose to walk pinch-hitter Mike Lamb to load the bases for RBI-less Willy Taveras. Willy T singled to left center to score two runs and get back the lead. After Orlando Palmeiro was plunked to again load the bases, Jason Grimsley took over for El Duque and all hell broke loose. Berkman added another couple of RBIs with a single before Ensberg's three-run blast which broke the game open.
Trever Miller allowed his token run in the 7th. The usually reliable Dan Wheeler was tagged for a couple more in the 9th before Brad Lidge relieved him and got the last three outs on only six pitches.
Berkman, Ensberg, and Adam Everett all had multi-hit games. Everett, along with Taveras and Chris Burke, also whiffed three times. Ensberg's homer was his third of the season, and he is hitting an even .400.
The Astros come back home Monday for a nine-game homestand, starting with the 7-5 Brewers. Taylor Buchholz, rained out of his first MLB start in San Francisco, will get a second chance against Dave Bush. Game time is 7:05pm CDT. TV coverage will be provided by KNWS-51.
