ouston, TX (Sports Network) – Chris Johnson hit a three-run homer to back 7 1/3 innings from Bud Norris as Houston clipped Milwaukee, 3-2, in the second of three between the clubs at Minute Maid Park.
Norris (8-8) scattered three hits and one run, striking out seven with five walks. Brandon Lyon allowed a homer to Casey McGehee to start the ninth but hung on to earn his 16th save.
Jeff Keppinger posted two hits and scored a run for the Astros, who have won three in a row including the first two in the set.
Ryan Braun also homered for the Brewers, who fell for the fourth time in five outings.
Chris Capuano (3-4) was tagged for five hits and three runs over 6 1/3 frames in defeat.
Braun’s first-inning homer gave the Brewers the early edge.
In the home half, Michael Bourn walked, Keppinger singled and Johnson launched a three-run shot to put the Astros ahead to stay.
Norris cruised until the fifth as Corey Hart worked a leadoff walk and went to second on a balk. However, Jonathan Lucroy fouled out and Capuano grounded out to end the frame.
A Joe Inglett leadoff walk in the sixth came to nothing, and a one-out walk to Hart in the seventh also went by the wayside.
Craig Counsell walked and Alcides Escobar singled in the eighth before Jeff Fulchino relieved Norris and fanned his lone batter. Tim Byrdak finished off the inning by striking out Prince Fielder.
Lyon surrendered the leadoff blast to McGehee then retired the next three batters to end the game.