Houston, TX (Sports Network) – Jeff Keppinger finished with two hits, an RBI, a run scored and three walks, as Houston topped Milwaukee, 4-2, in the first of three between the teams at Minute Maid Park.
Carlos Lee posted a pair of hits, knocked in one and scored his 1,000th career run for the Astros, who have won seven of 10.
Brett Myers (12-7) worked seven innings for the win, scattering six hits and one run with 10 strikeouts.
Corey Hart homered and Carlos Gomez added an RBI hit for the Brewers, who have dropped three of four.
Brandon Kintzler (0-1) was charged in the loss for three hits and three runs and three walks while recording two outs in relief. Starter Chris Narveson lasted six frames and yielded a run on six hits while fanning seven.
Houston took the lead for good in the seventh against Kintzler. Geoff Blum hit a pinch-single to start, then Michael Bourn laid down a sacrifice and Keppinger walked. Hunter Pence fanned but Lee and Chris Johnson followed with RBI singles. On Johnson’s hit, a Gomez error also allowed him to reach second, then Brett Wallace drew a free pass to load the bases and Tommy Manzella’s walk forced in Lee for a 4-1 game.
Mark Melancon was charged with the Gomez run-scoring single in the eighth, which was surrendered by Henry Villar.
In the ninth, Fernando Abad allowed a leadoff pinch-hit double to Lorenzo Cain before giving way to Matt Lindstrom, who earned his 23rd save by retiring the next three batters.
The Astros got on the board in the first as Bourn singled to lead off, stole second and scored on a Keppinger double.
Hart’s solo shot tied the game in the fourth.
Myers extended his club record to 30 six-plus inning starts from the start of the season…He also posted his 14th career start of 10 strikeouts or more, with the last one coming July 27 against the Cubs…Bourn recorded his 50th stolen base, and has accomplished the feat in back to back years…Cesar Cedeno is the only other Astro to do so, from 1972-77.