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MINNEAPOLIS(AP) The
Houston Astros
haven't had a lot of luck when trailing late in games this year. Fortunately for them, Minnesota's relievers haven't been
so great holding onto leads recently.
Lance Berkman
and
Michael Bourn
homered and the Astros rallied to beat the Twins 6-5 on Saturday night, winning for the fourth time in 33 games when trailing
after six innings.
Earlier in the night, it seemed as if the Twins were well on their way to their third straight victory.
Scott Baker
had frustrated the Houston lineup through six innings and took a 3-1 lead into the seventh. And Astros starter
Brian Moehler
had given up three homers.
But Houston wore down Baker and broke through in the seventh. Then the Astros went to work against the Twins bullpen.
''You'd rather get six runs in the fifth or sixth than six runs in the first,'' Moehler said. ''It's nice to get the runs
later in the game.''
Hunter Pence
keyed the four-run seventh with a one-out double and
Ivan Rodriguez
chased Baker with an RBI single.
Jason Michaels
followed with a run-scoring double off reliever
Sean Henn
(0-3) and Bourn put the Astros ahead to stay with his second homer of the season. Berkman's solo shot off
Luis Ayala
in the eighth made it 6-3.
In the past 7 2-3 innings, the Twins bullpen has given up eight earned runs - Henn and Ayala account for four of them in only
two combined innings.
''It's unfortunate we just fell apart in the bullpen tonight,'' Twins manager
Ron Gardenhire
said.
Moehler (4-4) evened his record despite giving up a leadoff shot by
Brendan Harris
, a solo shot by
Delmon Young
in the second, and
Joe Mauer
's career-high 14th homer.
''We didn't generate too much,''
Michael Cuddyer
said. ''We got three home runs but it was only four hits early in the game. We just couldn't get many guys on base.''
Aside from the three homers, Moehler allowed a leadoff double by Harris in the third, and he walked
Carlos Gomez
in the fifth.
''I don't have a problem giving up home runs as long as I don't walk guys,'' Moehler said.
Jason Kubel
pulled Minnesota to 6-5 in the eighth with a two-run homer off reliever
LaTroy Hawkins
. The shot snapped a streak of 19 consecutive scoreless innings for the Astros bullpen.
Jose Valverde
pitched a scoreless ninth for his fourth save in six chances. The Twins had a final chance after pinch-hitter
Jose Morales
doubled with two outs, but
Joe Crede
flied out to deep right to end it.
''We did end up with an opportunity, that's all you can ask for in the ninth,'' Gardenhire said. ''But still a little frustrating
when you have a lead and give up a big number in the seventh inning.''
Astros manager
Cecil Cooper
was ejected in the fifth after arguing with plate umpire Jerry Layne on a pitch to Gomez.
''I thought it was a swing and a foul tip,'' Cooper said. ''Umpire said it wasn't. I yelled at him that I thought he was wrong.''
The speedy Gomez eventually drew a walk and made a nifty move to steal second after getting hung up between the bases. Gomez
baited Berkman to tag him before diving for second, his right hand barely sneaking in past shortstop
Miguel Tejada
's tag.
Notes: Houston is 2-6 against the AL this season, while the Twins are 8-3 against their NL opponents. ... Twins 2B
Nick Punto
left in the seventh with bruised ribs. He's day to day. ... Astros RHP
Felipe Paulino
said he felt ''great'' after his bullpen session. Paulino has been on the DL with a strained groin. ''Pain free for today,''
he said. ... Gardenhire said RHP
Kevin Slowey
would be evaluated on Sunday after leaving Friday night's start with tightness in his rib cage. ''His side feels just like
his arm does after he pitches,'' Gardenhire said. ''Probably have to give him another day.'' ... Berkman's homer snapped an
0-for-16 slump.
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