The Astros, clinging to a faint playoff hope, defeated the division leading Co-ards Thursday and Friday night at Minute Maid Park with identical 6-5 scores, capping each game with exciting rallies as they moved within 5.5 games of first place in the NL Central with 9 games to play.
Thursday night,
Lance Berkman slammed a go-ahead two-run home run in the 8th inning and
Dan Wheeler pitched the 9th for his 7th save.
Dave Borkowski earned the win with three perfect relief innings. Berkman also hit a two-run blast in the 4th, with both coming off of NL Cy Young favorite Chris Carpenter.
Orlando Palmeiro added a two-run pinch hit single in the 5th.
Friday night was the
Craig Biggio show , hitting a walk-off single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Earlier in the 8th, he had a two-run single to keep the game close.
Chad Qualls earned the victory with a scoreless inning of relief. Palmeiro entered the game late and went 2-2 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Saturday night matches
Roy Oswalt vs. Anthony Reyes. Sunday night, moved to a prime time 7:05 start time for ESPN, pits
Roger Clemens vs. Jeff Weaver.
