When Buster Olney’s article about talks to realign Major League Baseball hit the web, Houston Astros fans finally had something aside from terrible baseball to have an emotional reaction to. According to Olney, important names are throwing the Astros around as a team to make a jump to the American League:

Two highly ranked executives believe the Houston Astros would be a possibility, because a switch to the AL for Houston would foster a rivalry between the Astros and the Texas Rangers.

Also because the Astros haven’t really made any sort of impact on baseball history (other than the Astrodome which they happily left), don’t have any real rivalries, and what better time to pull the switch than when new ownership is set to take over? Houstonians who are longtime baseball fans seem to be more opposed to this proposed plan than not.

As a longtime Astros fan myself, I see it the other way. The closest thing the Astros have to a real rivalry is St. Louis, but the Cardinals themselves have bigger rivalries than Houston. It’s kind of like the whole Texans/Cowboys “rivalry” where Houston fans think it’s a bigger rivalry than it actually is… meanwhile, Dallas is much more concerned with their Philadelphia rivalry, or anyone else in their division.

The only sticking point for me is that I don’t like the designated hitter. I know it puts poor-hitting pitchers at the plate, but I love the extra dimension of strategy it injects into the National League game. My favorite part of baseball is strategy, and the NEED for well-executed strategy. A part of me would be sad to see the Astros lose that small element of strategy in the game.

It’s clear to me that the benefits far outweigh the detriments. We would get to see the Yankees and Red Sox in Houston on a regular basis. The idea of building a natural geographic rivalry with the Rangers is certainly intriguing. Tampa Bay could come to town and we could kidnap their front office. 

When the newness of the proposed switch wears off, there’s just baseball. The hope in Houston is that by then we won’t need new teams visiting Houston and a DH to keep our interest in the hometown nine piqued. By then, we’ll have good, competitive baseball.

Won’t we, Mr. Crane? Won’t we?

HOUSTON — Chipper Jones wasn’t surprised Brian McCann hit the go-ahead homer in the 10th inning. He was only shocked to see him miss his chance to do it in the seventh.

McCann hit a three-run shot in the 10th inning, lifting the Atlanta Braves to their fifth straight win, 6-3 over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

McCann’s shot to right field off Brandon Lyon scored Jordan Schafer and Dan Uggla to give him 501 career RBIs and put Atlanta on top 5-2. Schafer singled before Uggla walked.

It was his second opportunity to put the Braves ahead after he grounded into a double play with two on and one out in the seventh inning.

“You can’t give him too many opportunities with the game on the line,” Jones said. “He’s going to get you eventually.”

McCann was 0 for 3 before his big hit.

“Every at-bat I came up tonight I had a chance to do something and didn’t and it was very satisfying getting it in extra innings and being able to give us the lead,” he said.

He said he didn’t even realize he was approaching 500 RBIs.

“It’s a cool milestone, but I want to get a lot more so it’s just the first step I guess,” he said.

The Astros have lost seven of eight.

Lyon (3-3) struggled to throw strikes in his second appearance since coming off the disabled list this week. He also gave up a homer in Friday’s loss to the Braves.

Lyon said the problem wasn’t physical and that he felt “great.”

“I didn’t make enough pitches,” he said. “Just fell behind a lot. I couldn’t find the strike zone and when I did find the strike zone, they hit the ball. Obviously, I will just come out tomorrow, work through it and try to get better.”

Jones hit his second double after McCann’s homer to chase Lyon and scored on a two-out single by Eric Hinske to make it 6-2.

The Braves moved to a season-high nine games over .500 with the win in their 14th extra-inning game of the season.

“I think this team has probably taken about 10 years off my life already, but we’re doing pretty well in late innings and close situations,” Jones said. “They build character and the more and more we do it, the more confidence we have.”

Hinske homered for the second straight game to tie it in the fourth inning and Jones drove in a run in the third.

Houston’s Hunter Pence had two hits including an RBI double in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 22 games, which is the longest current streak in the majors.

Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel allowed two hits and a run in the 10th inning.

Houston rookie Jordan Lyles, who at 20 years old is the youngest player in the majors, allowed eight hits and two runs in 6 1-3 innings in his third start overall and first at Minute Maid Park.

“Jordan did a really good job of working out of some jams in the first couple of innings,” Houston manager Brad Mills said. “That was huge to see. That really goes back to his demeanor and him not getting too out of control. He was able to stop the damage tonight.”

Braves starter Mike Minor yielded four hits and two runs with four strikeouts in six innings.

Houston had runners on first and second in the ninth, but Scott Linebrink (2-1) retired Jason Bourgeois to send it to the 10th.

Matt Young singled with one out in the ninth inning but was thrown out trying to steal second base. He was initially called safe but slid away from the base and was tagged out by Clint Barmes before pinch-hitter Brooks Conrad struck out.

The Astros had a shot to take the lead in the seventh inning after singles by Carlos Corporan and Bourgeois, but Michael Bourn grounded out to end the inning.

Diory Hernandez reached on an error by Jeff Keppinger when he couldn’t handle his grounder with none out in the seventh. Uggla singled after a sacrifice by Schafer to send Hernandez to third base and chase Lyles.

McCann grounded into a double play off Sergio Escalona to allow Houston to once again escape trouble.

Bourn tripled to the left field corner with one out in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games before Pence and Carlos Lee hit consecutive RBI doubles to nearly the same spot to put Houston up 2-0.

Jones got Atlanta to 2-1 with his two-out RBI double in the third inning. Hinske’s homer to right field tied it at 2-all in the fourth inning.

The 39-year-old Jones wowed the crowd with two diving catches that robbed the Astros of hits in the fifth and sixth innings.

Brandon Lyon has not found a groove since coming off the
disabled list.

Brian McCann hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning, lifting
the Braves to a 6-3 win over Houston on Saturday night, for their
fifth straight victory.

McCann’s shot to right field off Lyon (3-3) scored Jordan
Schafer and Dan Uggla to give him 501 career RBIs and put Atlanta
on top 5-2. Schafer singled before Uggla walked.

The Astros have lost seven of eight, including all four of their
games against the Braves this season. McCann has three homers
against Houston, two in Atlanta and one at Minute Maid Park.

Lyon struggled to throw strikes in his second appearance since
coming off the DL this week. He also gave up a homer in Friday’s
loss to the Braves.

“I didn’t make enough pitches, just fell behind a lot,” Lyon
said. “I couldn’t find the strike zone and when I did find the
strike zone, they hit the ball. Obviously, I will just come out
tomorrow, work through it and try to get better.”

Lyon insists that he is pain free. He was on the disabled list
for more than a month with right biceps tendinitis.

“I am not hurt at all. I wish I could make an excuse like that,”
he said. “I felt great, I felt fine out there today. I just didn’t
make the pitches that I needed to.”

Chipper Jones hit his second double after McCann’s homer to
chase Lyon and scored on a two-out single by Eric Hinske to make it
6-2.

Hinske homered for the second straight game to tie it in the
fourth inning and Jones drove in a run in the third.

Houston’s Hunter Pence had two hits including an RBI double in
the first inning to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 22
games, which is the longest current streak in the majors.

Pence left Friday’s game after the third inning with tightness
in his lower back. Astros manager Brad Mills said that might have
helped Pence prolong his streak.

“A lot of times, when something is tweaked you just kind of calm
down a little bit,” Mills said. “But he is squaring a lot of balls
up right now, seeing the ball real well. He is just a lot calmer at
the plate right now.”

Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel allowed two hits and a run in the
10th inning.

Houston rookie Jordan Lyles, who at 20 years old is the youngest
player in the majors, allowed eight hits and two runs in 6 1-3
innings in his third start overall and first at Minute Maid
Park.

“I just wanted to stand in there and keep making pitches,” said
Lyles. “The two times I did give up runs tonight, I really didn’t
get into too much trouble.”

Braves starter Mike Minor yielded four hits and two runs with
four strikeouts in six innings.

Houston had runners on first and second in the ninth, but Scott
Linebrink (2-1) retired Jason Bourgeois to send it to the 10th.

Matt Young singled with one out in the ninth inning but was
thrown out trying to steal second base. He was initially called
safe but slid away from the base and was tagged out by Clint Barmes
before pinch-hitter Brooks Conrad struck out.

The Astros had a shot to take the lead in the seventh inning
after singles by Carlos Corporan and Bourgeois, but Michael Bourn
grounded out to end the inning.

Diory Hernandez reached on an error by Jeff Keppinger when he
couldn’t handle his grounder with none out in the seventh inning.
Uggla singled after a sacrifice by Schafer to send Hernandez to
third base and chase Lyles.

McCann grounded into a double play off Sergio Escalona to allow
Houston to once again escape trouble.

Bourn tripled to the left field corner with one out in the first
inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games before Pence and
Carlos Lee hit consecutive RBI doubles to nearly the same spot to
put Houston up 2-0.

Jones got Atlanta to 2-1 with his two-out RBI double in the
third inning. Lyles walked Uggla to set up that score. Hinske’s
homer to right field tied it at 2 in the fourth inning.

Freddie Freeman doubled in the second inning before a single by
Alex Gonzalez put runners at the corners. Young reached on a
fielder’s choice but Freeman got thrown out in a rundown between
third and home for the second out. Lyles escaped the jam when he
struck out Minor.

NOTE: The Astros honored television broadcaster Bill Brown in a
pregame ceremony for his 25th season calling Houston’s games.

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

HOUSTON — Chipper Jones wasn’t surprised Brian McCann hit the go-ahead homer in the 10th inning. He was only shocked to see him miss his chance to do it in the seventh.

McCann hit a three-run shot in the 10th inning, lifting the Atlanta Braves to their fifth straight win, 6-3 over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

McCann’s shot to right field off Brandon Lyon scored Jordan Schafer and Dan Uggla to give him 501 career RBIs and put Atlanta on top 5-2. Schafer singled before Uggla walked.

It was his second opportunity to put the Braves ahead after he grounded into a double play with two on and one out in the seventh inning.

“You can’t give him too many opportunities with the game on the line,” Jones said. “He’s going to get you eventually.”

McCann was 0 for 3 before his big hit.

“Every at-bat I came up tonight I had a chance to do something and didn’t and it was very satisfying getting it in extra innings and being able to give us the lead,” he said.

He said he didn’t even realize he was approaching 500 RBIs.

“It’s a cool milestone, but I want to get a lot more so it’s just the first step I guess,” he said.

The Astros have lost seven of eight.

Lyon (3-3) struggled to throw strikes in his second appearance since coming off the disabled list this week. He also gave up a homer in Friday’s loss to the Braves.

Lyon said the problem wasn’t physical and that he felt “great.”

“I didn’t make enough pitches,” he said. “Just fell behind a lot. I couldn’t find the strike zone and when I did find the strike zone, they hit the ball. Obviously, I will just come out tomorrow, work through it and try to get better.”

Jones hit his second double after McCann’s homer to chase Lyon and scored on a two-out single by Eric Hinske to make it 6-2.

The Braves moved to a season-high nine games over .500 with the win in their 14th extra-inning game of the season.

“I think this team has probably taken about 10 years off my life already, but we’re doing pretty well in late innings and close situations,” Jones said. “They build character and the more and more we do it, the more confidence we have.”

Hinske homered for the second straight game to tie it in the fourth inning and Jones drove in a run in the third.

Houston’s Hunter Pence had two hits including an RBI double in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 22 games, which is the longest current streak in the majors.

Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel allowed two hits and a run in the 10th inning.

Houston rookie Jordan Lyles, who at 20 years old is the youngest player in the majors, allowed eight hits and two runs in 6 1-3 innings in his third start overall and first at Minute Maid Park.

“Jordan did a really good job of working out of some jams in the first couple of innings,” Houston manager Brad Mills said. “That was huge to see. That really goes back to his demeanor and him not getting too out of control. He was able to stop the damage tonight.”

Braves starter Mike Minor yielded four hits and two runs with four strikeouts in six innings.

Houston had runners on first and second in the ninth, but Scott Linebrink (2-1) retired Jason Bourgeois to send it to the 10th.

Matt Young singled with one out in the ninth inning but was thrown out trying to steal second base. He was initially called safe but slid away from the base and was tagged out by Clint Barmes before pinch-hitter Brooks Conrad struck out.

The Astros had a shot to take the lead in the seventh inning after singles by Carlos Corporan and Bourgeois, but Michael Bourn grounded out to end the inning.

Diory Hernandez reached on an error by Jeff Keppinger when he couldn’t handle his grounder with none out in the seventh. Uggla singled after a sacrifice by Schafer to send Hernandez to third base and chase Lyles.

McCann grounded into a double play off Sergio Escalona to allow Houston to once again escape trouble.

Bourn tripled to the left field corner with one out in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games before Pence and Carlos Lee hit consecutive RBI doubles to nearly the same spot to put Houston up 2-0.

Jones got Atlanta to 2-1 with his two-out RBI double in the third inning. Hinske’s homer to right field tied it at 2-all in the fourth inning.

The 39-year-old Jones wowed the crowd with two diving catches that robbed the Astros of hits in the fifth and sixth innings.

Read More: Chipper Jones (3B – ATL), Jordan Lyles (P – HOU), Brian McCann (C – ATL), Brandon Lyon (P – HOU), Fernando Rodriguez (P – HOU), Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves

Houston, TX (Sports Network) – Brian McCann belted a three-run homer during a four-run 10th inning, as the Atlanta Braves caught fire to down the Houston Astros, 6-3, for their fifth straight win.

Locked in a 2-1 hitter’s count with runners at first and second, McCann belted a low slider from Brandon Lyon (3-3) deep into the first level behind right field to snap a 2-2 tie.

Chipper Jones followed with a double and scored on Eric Hinske’s two-out RBI single off Fernando Rodriguez for a 6-2 lead.

The 10th-inning rally marked the first time either team had scored since Atlanta tied the game on Hinske’s solo homer in the fourth.

Scott Linebrink (2-1) stranded runners at first and second in the ninth inning to pick up the win. Craig Kimbrel gave up a one-out run in the 10th for the final margin.

The scuffling Astros scored their other runs in the first inning on RBI doubles from Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee. They fell to 1-7 in their last eight games, and to 1-4 on their 10-game homestand.

Pence pushed his personal-best hitting streak to 22 games with a 2-for-5 showing, also doubling and scoring on Lee’s double in the 10th inning.

It’s the longest current streak in the majors and eight shy of Andre Ethier’s season-high 30-game streak for the Dodgers.

“He continues to hit,” said Astros manager Brad Mills. “It was a big day swinging the bat.”

Lost in the final score were two good outings by a pair of young pitchers.

Mike Minor, the 23-year-old Atlanta starter, yielded two runs on four hits and two walks in six innings, striking out four.

Jordan Lyles, 20, made his first start at Minute Maid Park and also gave up two runs in 6 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits and two walks while fanning five.

The rookie righthander — currently the youngest player in the majors — was making just his third MLB start.

The Braves won the opener of this four-game series, 11-4, on Friday. But it was the Astros who jumped on top Saturday with a one-out rally in the first inning sparked by Michael Bourn’s triple. Pence and Lee followed with nearly identical back-to-back RBI doubles to left field to make it 2-0.

Lyles pitched out of trouble in the first and second innings, but the Braves got to him for a run in the third when Dan Uggla drew a one-out walk and scored on Jones’ two-out double to left-center field.

Hinske belted his eighth homer of the season with one down in the fourth, tying the game at 2-2 with a shot deep into the right field seats.

The Astros stranded runners at second and third in the seventh inning, the first time they moved a man past first base since their two-run rally in the first. They left runners at first and second in the bottom of the ninth when Jason Bourgeois lined out to left field.

The Braves stranded runners in scoring position in the fifth and seventh innings.

Chipper Jones wasn’t surprised Brian McCann hit the go-ahead homer in the 10th inning. He was only shocked to see him miss his chance to do it in the seventh.

McCann hit a three-run shot in the 10th inning, lifting the Atlanta Braves to their fifth straight win, 6-3 over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

McCann’s shot to right field off Brandon Lyon scored Jordan Schafer and Dan Uggla to give him 501 career RBIs and put Atlanta on top 5-2. Schafer singled before Uggla walked.

It was his second opportunity to put the Braves ahead after he grounded into a double play with two on and one out in the seventh inning.

“You can’t give him too many opportunities with the game on the line,” Jones said. “He’s going to get you eventually.”

McCann was 0 for 3 before his big hit.

“Every at-bat I came up tonight I had a chance to do something and didn’t and it was very satisfying getting it in extra innings and being able to give us the lead,” he said.

He said he didn’t even realize he was approaching 500 RBIs.

“It’s a cool milestone, but I want to get a lot more so it’s just the first step I guess,” he said.

The Astros have lost seven of eight.

Lyon (3-3) struggled to throw strikes in his second appearance since coming off the disabled list this week. He also gave up a homer in Friday’s loss to the Braves.

Lyon said the problem wasn’t physical and that he felt “great.”

“I didn’t make enough pitches,” he said. “Just fell behind a lot. I couldn’t find the strike zone and when I did find the strike zone, they hit the ball. Obviously, I will just come out tomorrow, work through it and try to get better.”

Jones hit his second double after McCann’s homer to chase Lyon and scored on a two-out single by Eric Hinske to make it 6-2.

The Braves moved to a season-high nine games over .500 with the win in their 14th extra-inning game of the season.

“I think this team has probably taken about 10 years off my life already, but we’re doing pretty well in late innings and close situations,” Jones said. “They build character and the more and more we do it, the more confidence we have.”

Hinske homered for the second straight game to tie it in the fourth inning and Jones drove in a run in the third.

Houston’s Hunter Pence had two hits including an RBI double in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 22 games, which is the longest current streak in the majors.

Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel allowed two hits and a run in the 10th inning.

Houston rookie Jordan Lyles, who at 20 years old is the youngest player in the majors, allowed eight hits and two runs in 6 1-3 innings in his third start overall and first at Minute Maid Park.

“Jordan did a really good job of working out of some jams in the first couple of innings,” Houston manager Brad Mills said. “That was huge to see. That really goes back to his demeanor and him not getting too out of control. He was able to stop the damage tonight.”

Braves starter Mike Minor yielded four hits and two runs with four strikeouts in six innings.

Houston had runners on first and second in the ninth, but Scott Linebrink (2-1) retired Jason Bourgeois to send it to the 10th.

Matt Young singled with one out in the ninth inning but was thrown out trying to steal second base. He was initially called safe but slid away from the base and was tagged out by Clint Barmes before pinch-hitter Brooks Conrad struck out.

The Astros had a shot to take the lead in the seventh inning after singles by Carlos Corporan and Bourgeois, but Michael Bourn grounded out to end the inning.

Diory Hernandez reached on an error by Jeff Keppinger when he couldn’t handle his grounder with none out in the seventh. Uggla singled after a sacrifice by Schafer to send Hernandez to third base and chase Lyles.

McCann grounded into a double play off Sergio Escalona to allow Houston to once again escape trouble.

Bourn tripled to the left field corner with one out in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games before Pence and Carlos Lee hit consecutive RBI doubles to nearly the same spot to put Houston up 2-0.

Jones got Atlanta to 2-1 with his two-out RBI double in the third inning. Hinske’s homer to right field tied it at 2-all in the fourth inning.

The 39-year-old Jones wowed the crowd with two diving catches that robbed the Astros of hits in the fifth and sixth innings.

NOTES: Atlanta RHP Jonny Venters pitched a scoreless eighth to extend his streak of scoreless innings to 21 which is the longest current streak in the majors. … Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez spoke to Martin Prado, who is on the disabled list with a staph infection, on Saturday. He said Prado is receiving intravenous antibiotics daily in Atlanta and that he is feeling much better. … Gonzalez said that CF Jason Heyward (right shoulder) felt good after his second day of swinging off a tee and doing baseball activities and that he could go out for a rehabilitation assignment as soon as the middle of next week. … Braves RHP Brandon Beachy, on the DL since May 14 with a strained muscle on his left side, threw 51 pitches in a simulated game on Saturday.

HOUSTON — Brian McCann hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning, lifting the Atlanta Braves to their fifth straight win, 6-3 over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

McCann’s shot to right field off Brandon Lyon scored Jordan Schafer and Dan Uggla to give him 501 career RBI and put Atlanta on top 5-2. Schafer singled before Uggla walked.

The Astros have lost seven of eight.

Lyon (3-3) struggled to throw strikes in his second appearance since coming off the disabled list this week. He also gave up a homer in Friday’s loss to the Braves.

Chipper Jones hit his second double after McCann’s homer to chase Lyon and scored on a two-out single by Eric Hinske to make it 6-2.

Hinske homered for the second straight game to tie it in the fourth inning and Jones drove in a run in the third.

Houston’s Hunter Pence had two hits including an RBI double in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 22 games, which is the longest current streak in the majors.

Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel allowed two hits and a run in the 10th inning.

Houston rookie Jordan Lyles, who at 20 years old is the youngest player in the majors, allowed eight hits and two runs in 61⁄3 innings in his third start overall and first at Minute Maid Park.

Braves starter Mike Minor yielded four hits and two runs with four strikeouts in six innings.

Houston had runners on first and second in the ninth, but Scott Linebrink (2-1) retired Jason Bourgeois to send it to the 10th.

Matt Young singled with one out in the ninth inning but was thrown out trying to steal second base. He was initially called safe but slid away from the base and was tagged out by Clint Barmes before pinch-hitter Brooks Conrad struck out.

The Astros had a shot to take the lead in the seventh inning after singles by Carlos Corporan and Bourgeois, but Michael Bourn grounded out to end the inning.

Diory Hernandez reached on an error by Jeff Keppinger when he couldn’t handle his grounder with none out in the seventh inning. Uggla singled after a sacrifice by Schafer to send Hernandez to third base and chase Lyles.

McCann grounded into a double play off Sergio Escalona to allow Houston to once again escape trouble.

Posted on 11 June 2011

Read More: Freddie Freeman (1B – ATL), Mike Minor (P – ATL), Jordan Lyles (P – HOU), Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves

(Sports Network) – The Atlanta Braves aim to extend their win streak to five straight tonight when they visit Minute Maid Park for the second game of four against the Houston Astros.

Atlanta, which is second in the National League’s East Division at two games behind Philadelphia, kept pace with the first-place Phillies on Friday when Freddie Freeman and Alex Gonzalez each had a home run and three RBI in an 11-4 victory.

Houston is last in the Central Division, 13 1/2 games behind St. Louis.

Tim Hudson (5-5) allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out four through six innings to earn the win, snapping an 0-3 streak over his past five starts.

Eric Hinske and Chipper Jones also homered for the Braves, who won for the sixth time in eight games.

Houston’s Aneury Rodriguez (0-4) went four-plus innings, allowing six runs on six hits and a walk.

Michael Bourn tied his career high with four hits and was a home run short of the cycle in the Astros’ sixth loss in seven games.

Braves hurler Mike Minor, the seventh overall pick in the 2009 draft, reached the majors last season and was 3-2 in nine appearances with a 5.98 earned run average across 40 2/3 innings.

He debuted this season with a 5-4 loss in Milwaukee on April 6 and has since followed it up with a no-decision at Pittsburgh on May 25 and a 5-4 loss against San Diego on May 31.

He’s been touched for 22 hits and nine runs in his initial 16 innings this season, walking nine batters and striking out 11 while foes have established a .338 average against him.

Batters hit .314 against Minor in 2010.

For Houston, right-hander Jordan Lyles makes the third start of his rookie season.

Just 20 years old, Lyles was a supplemental draft pick of the Astros in 2008 and debuted at Wrigley Field when he allowed five hits and two runs while going seven innings against Chicago in a no-decision on May 31.

He dropped a 7-2 verdict on June 5 at San Diego in start No. 2, allowing five hits and four runs in four innings.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder began pitching in the minors at age 17 in 2008 and was 3-3 with a 4.23 earned run average in 15 starts with two teams.

He moved from Single-A to Triple-A between 2009 and 2010 and was 3-3 with a 3.20 ERA with Oklahoma City of the Pacific Coast League in 10 starts before getting called up to the majors.

Atlanta swept a two-game set against Houston from May 16-17 and has won nine of the last 10 encounters between the two ballclubs.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas outfielder Jarrod McKinney has signed a professional contract with the Houston Astros organization, ending his career with the Razorbacks.

McKinney, a Hughes Springs, Texas, native, was drafted by the Astros in the 31st round of the MLB Draft Wednesday. He is expected to report to the Astros spring training facility in Kissimmee, Fla., Saturday.

“It’s time for him to go out,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said Thursday. “He’s a big, strong, physical kid that is still a little bit raw in the game of baseball.

“We really saw his best baseball the last two or three weeks. He was really good in the last two tournaments, hitting the ball, swinging at strikes, using the whole field. It was good to see coming off that knee injury last year.”

McKinney tore his anterior cruciate ligament in April 2010 while running down a ball in a midweek game against Saint Louis. After being limited in fall practices, McKinney was cleared to play with the team on opening day and full-speed midway through the season.

McKinney finished the 2011 season with a career-best .301 batting average, two home runs and 20 RBIs.

“I’m just ready to go play pro ball,” McKinney said. “They’ve got a lot of talent coming in (at Arkansas). I’m kind of getting out of the way so the younger talent can get in here.”

His improved offense was a highlight of Arkansas’ trip to the NCAA Tempe Regional. In four games at the tournament, McKinney went 8-for-15 at the plate with two RBIs, three doubles, a triple and three runs scored.

McKinney is the first of six Arkansas players drafted to sign his professional contract. At least three others – James McCann (Detroit Tigers, second round), Collin Kuhn (Chicago White Sox, 17th round) and Kyle Robinson (Chicago White Sox, 28th round) – are expected to do so prior to the signing deadline in August.

This article was published today at 10:19 a.m.

HOUSTON – This one hurt on several levels for the Houston Astros.

Hunter Pence extended his career-long hitting streak to 21 games before leaving with back problems, and Houston lost 11-4 to the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.

Michael Bourn tied a career high with four hits and scored twice but it wasn’t enough for the Astros, who have been outscored 20-6 in back-to-back losses and have dropped six of seven overall.

Pence singled with two out in the third to keep alive the majors’ longest current hitting streak. He departed after the inning with tightness in his lower back and was replaced by Jason Michaels.

Pence said he felt his back tighten during pregame sprints and again as he ran the bases in the inning.

“I was hoping it would loosen up,” said Pence, who is hitting .395 (34 for 86) with three homers and 14 RBIs during the streak. “Nothing happened. It was precautionary.”

He said he expects to play Saturday.

Pence’s hot bat was sorely missed by the Astros, who lost 9-2 to St. Louis on Thursday night and got more the same from their ailing pitching staff and struggling offense in the opener of a four-game series against Atlanta.

Starter Aneury Rodriguez was rocked for home runs on consecutive pitches and four runs total in the third inning, when the Braves grabbed control in their fourth consecutive victory.

Relievers Jeff Fulchino and Brandon Lyon, in his first outing since being activated Thursday, also gave up home runs.

The Astros’ offense did little to help the cause through eight innings, with the exception of Bourn and Jeff Keppinger, who had two hits.

Matt Downs hit a two-run homer off Cristhian Martinez in the ninth, but it wasn’t enough. Bourn had a triple and two doubles.

Rodriguez (0-4) lasted four-plus innings and remained winless through eight career starts. The right-hander gave up six runs and six hits.

“He was leaving some balls over the middle of the plate, and they were hitting them pretty hard,” Astros manager Brad Mills said. “We’d like for him to be able to keep that focus and concentration over a period of time. We’ve seen that come and go.”

The Astros hurt themselves with poor defense in the third. First baseman Brett Wallace’s error on Chipper Jones’ two-out infield single allowed Dan Uggla to score.

Freddie Freeman’s two-out, two-run shot landed several rows up in the second deck in right field and gave Atlanta a 4-0 lead. Alex Gonzalez sent the next pitch into the Crawford Boxes in left field.

“This is the second time this happens to me, that after an error they get me for three, four runs,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t know what’s happening. I keep doing the same, throwing strikes.

“I don’t think I’m losing focus, because I keep throwing strikes. But they are getting me with runs even as I throw strikes. Maybe I’m not making the right pitches given the circumstances.”

Braves starter Tim Hudson (5-5) pitched six effective innings, yielding two runs and seven hits.

“He had a good sinker working and he kept it down in the zone overall,” Bourn said. “He was able to minimize us, and their offense got going early, and that’s pretty much the end of the game.”

NOTES: Houston purchased the contract of C Carlos Corporan from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned C Robinson Cancel to its top farm club. Corporan, who is scheduled to start on Saturday, had a pinch-hit single in the ninth. … The Astros signed second-round draft pick RHP Adrian Houser.

HOUSTON — Freddie Freeman and Alex Gonzalez homered on back-to-back pitches during Atlanta’s four-run third inning and the Braves pounded the Houston Astros 11-4 on Friday night for their fourth consecutive victory.

Freeman’s two-out, two-run shot off fellow rookie Aneury Rodriguez landed several rows up in the second deck in right field and gave Atlanta a 4-0 lead. Gonzalez sent the next pitch into the Crawford Boxes in left field.

Chipper Jones and Eric Hinske also homered for Atlanta, which tied its season high for runs. Freeman and Gonzalez combined for six RBI.

Braves starter Tim Hudson (5-5) pitched six effective innings, yielding two runs and seven hits.

Matt Downs hit a two-run homer in the ninth for Houston, which has dropped six of seven. Michael Bourn had a triple and two doubles while tying a career high with four hits.

Rodriguez (0-4) lasted just four-plus innings and is winless in eight starts.

The Astros hurt themselves with poor defense in the third. First baseman Brett Wallace’s error on Chipper Jones’ two-out infield single allowed Dan Uggla to score.

Jones then picked up his first stolen base of the year before the homers by Freeman and Gonzalez.

Houston right fielder Hunter Pence singled in the third to extend his career-long hitting streak to 21 games — the longest current streak in the majors. But Pence left the game after the inning with tightness in his lower back and was replaced by Jason Michaels.

Freeman had an RBI single in the first, and Gonzalez had a two-run double in Atlanta’s four-run fifth. Jones also had an RBI single in the fifth.

Houston closer Brandon Lyon surrendered Jones’ homer in the eighth in his first appearance since May 4 after coming off the disabled list following Wednesday’s game.

Rodriguez gave up six runs and six hits. He struck out four and walked one.

Read More: Eric Hinske (LF – ATL), Michael Bourn (CF – HOU), Scott Linebrink (P – ATL), Jeff Keppinger (2B – HOU), Dan Uggla (2B – ATL), Scott Proctor (P – ATL), Chipper Jones (3B – ATL), Tim Hudson (P – ATL), Jordan Schafer (CF – ATL), Freddie Freeman (1B – ATL), Brett Wallace (1B – HOU), Matt Young (CF – ATL), Cristhian Martinez (P – ATL), Aneury Rodriguez (P – HOU), Houston Astros

It would be an understatement to say that the Atlanta offense was due. After scoring just seven total runs in a three game sweep of the Florida Marlins, Atlanta scored 11 runs including four home runs in their 11-4 series opening win against the Houston Astros. 

Atlanta wasted little time getting on the board early thanks to a Freddie Freeman RBI single in the first that scored Jordan Schafer giving the Braves a 1-0 lead. 

The Braves extended their lead to 5-0 with a four run third. Most impressive was that all of the runs came with two outs in the inning. Batting in the No. 2 hole in the order, Dan Uggla doubled with two outs in the inning. Chipper Jones followed with an infield single with Uggla scoring on a throwing error by Houston first baseman Brett Wallace. Freddie Freeman then hit a mammoth home run to right deep into the second deck at Minute Maid Park making the score 4-0. On the next pitch, Alex Gonzalez followed with a homer of his own to left giving the Braves a 5-0 lead and their second back-to-back homers of the season. 

Atlanta had another big inning in the fifth. Jordan Schafer singled to lead off the inning and scored on a Chipper Jones single. After another hit from Freddie Freeman, Alex Gonzalez followed with a two-run double making the score 8-1 in favor of Atlanta. Matt Young capped off the scoring in the inning with an RBI single of his own scoring Gonzalez and giving the Braves a commanding 9-1 lead. 

The Braves added solo homers from Eric Hinske and Chipper Jones in the seventh and eighth innings to round out their scoring. 

Tim Hudson evens his record at 5-5 after allowing seven hits and two runs over six innings of work. Huddy struck out four while walking no one. Scott Proctor and Scott Linebrink each pitched a scoreless inning before Cristhian Martinez ran into trouble in the ninth surrendering three hits and two runs. 

For the Astros, Aneury Rodriguez lost for the fourth time this season pitching four innings while allowing six hits and six runs. 

Freddie Freeman finished 3 for 5 with a homer and three RBI’s on the night. Chipper Jones also had three hits and a homer for the Braves. Alex Gonzalez and Matt Young finished with two hits apiece. Atlanta banged out 14 hits in the game. 

Houston’s Michael Bourn had an outstanding night at the plate going 4 for 5 with two runs scored. Jeff Keppinger also added a couple of hits for the Astros. 

The win is Atlanta’s fourth in a row and puts them a season high eight games over .500 at 36-28 on the season. 

Outfielder Justin Gominsky signed with the Houston Astros on Friday, the second of six Gophers players taken in this week’s amateur draft to sign a contract.

Gominsky, a junior, was the first Gophers player drafted, taken in the 11th round (340th overall) by the Astros. After missing most of the 2010 season because of a knee injury, he hit .307 with 18 RBI and 30 runs this season. He hit eight doubles and led the team with three triples and eight stolen bases.

Thursday, Gophers junior shortstop AJ Pettersen signed with the Twins, who took him in the 25th round.

NCAA track and field

The Gophers men’s 4×400-meter relay finished 11th in the semifinals at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships in Des Moines. The race was moved to Friday morning after inclement weather suspended the meet on Thursday night.

The Gophers’ relay team of Jacob Capek, Harun Abda, Kevin Bradley and John Holton recorded a season-best time of 3 minutes, 6.83 seconds, finishing 11th overall. The top eight relays advanced to Saturday’s final.

• Senior Samantha Sonnenberg failed to complete the opening height of 12 feet, 9 1/2 inches in the women’s pole vault. She was the final Gophers athlete to compete at the meet.

Etc.

• Gophers senior swimmer Kaylee Jamison was named to the 2011 Capital One Academic All-America University Division women’s at-large first team, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. A five-time All-America and team captain, Jamison is a biochemistry major with a 3.92 grade-point average.

• The first game in a 13-game homestand for the St. Paul Saints was suspended in the second inning with the Saints leading Gary 1-0. The game will resume at 5:05 p.m. Saturday and be completed as a nine-inning game, with the regularly scheduled game following 25 minutes after the first game and set for seven innings.

Read More: mlb draft results, 2011 mlb draft results, mlb draft 2011, 2011 mlb draft, major league baseball draft 2011, first year player draft, rule 4 draft, 2011 baseball draft, mlb draft tracker 2011, major league draft 2011, Houston Astros

The Houston Astros continue to lock up their 2011 MLB Draft picks. After signing three on Wednesday, Thursday saw five more come under contract, including fifth round Stony Brook starter Nick Tropeano. Steve Campbell of The Houston Chronicle broke the story.

Scouting director Bobby Heck on Thursday announced the signing of righthanded pitchers Nick Tropiano (Round 5) and Blake Ford (44), first baseman Chase Davidson (41) and outfielders Andrew Muren (22) and Chris Epps (45).

That means the Astros have eight players from the 2011 class under contract already, and many more look like they’re unofficially done. Major hat tip to Astros County for rounding up the majority of these links:

-According to the Winston-Salem Journal, sixth rounder Brandon Culbreth has signed for $150,000 and a fund for further college education.
-23rd rounder Ruben Sosa looks like he’ll sign with the Astros in short order.
-31st rounder Jarrod McKinney’s college coach expects him to sign with Houston.
-33rd rounder Dominique Taylor probably will not sign with the Astros.

HOUSTON (AP) – The Houston Astros failed to convert their scoring chances early in the game. The St. Louis Cardinals took full advantage of their opportunities.

Lance Berkman broke a tie with an RBI single and pinch-hitter Daniel Descalso had a two-run double in St. Louis’ five-run sixth in the Cardinals’ 9-2 victory Thursday night.

Berkman, the former Astro who hit a solo homer to break up Bud Norris’ no-hit bid in the seventh inning in the Cardinals’ 4-1 loss Wednesday night, snapped a 1-1 tie with a single off the scoreboard in left after Jon Jay singled and Albert Pujols drew a walk off J.A. Happ (3-8).

Mark Hamilton’s fielder’s choice grounder to second baseman Jeff Keppinger scored Pujols, and Wilton Lopez’s bases-loaded walk brought home Hamilton. Then, Descalso delivered the two-run double to cap the inning.

“It’s frustrating,” Happ said. “Six or seven games in a row I start the game and I feel like I’m going to go seven or eight innings. Whatever my terrible record, whatever my terrible ERA is, it doesn’t make sense. It’s not the pitcher I am. I’m going to find a way to figure it out. I felt good and just left a few balls up in the sixth inning and the rest is history.”

Berkman added his 15th homer in the ninth.

“I’ve got a different uniform on, but it’s still a great place to hit,” Berkman said. “I’m just trying not to make an out. I’ll enjoy it and try to get ready for the game tomorrow.”

In six games at Minute Maid this season, Berkman is hitting .480 with five home runs and 12 RBIs.

The Astros did little to boost their chances when the game was still winnable.

They were punchless with runners in scoring position, blowing a bases-loaded chance to take the lead in the third inning and finishing the game 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

“The first five innings, Happ threw the ball extremely well and worked out of some things,” Astros manager Brad Mills said. “Offensively, we had some opportunities early in the game. We had our opportunities.”

Astros outfielder Hunter Pence extended his career best and major league-leading hitting streak to 20 games with a single in the first inning. He finished 2 for 4, but his 10th multihit game during the streak wasn’t enough to prevent his team from losing for the fifth time in six games.

Pence’s 20-game streak is the longest of his career and the Astros’ longest since Miguel Tejada hit in 21 straight games in 2009. It was little consolation.

“It’s part of the game,” Pence said. “Sometimes you get them, sometimes they get you out.”

Ryan Theriot, whose hitting streak was snapped at 20 on Wednesday night, had a double and his first homer for St. Louis. He’s been watching Berkman.

“Lance has had a great year and I don’t think he’s just picking on the Astros, he’s picking on everybody,” Theriot said. “He’s swung the bat well and been consistent particularly well here but he’s played a lot of games here and he’s comfortable here.”

Lance Lynn (1-1) benefited from the Cardinals’ big inning. He pitched five innings, allowed six hits and one run. He walked three and struck out three.

“The first three innings felt like the longest innings of my life,” Lynn said. “After that I started getting into a rhythm and throwing more strikes and throwing good pitches. I stopped giving them pitches to hit.”

NOTES: St. Louis’ Tony La Russa will manage his 5,000th game Friday night at Milwaukee. He will join Connie Mack (7,755) as the only manager or coach in American professional sports history to reach 5,000 games. … Pujols has hit for extra bases in six straight games. He had his 435th double in the seventh inning to break a tie for second with Hall of Famer Lou Brock on the Cardinals’ career list.
 

(Sports Network) – Atlanta Braves starter Tim Hudson hasn’t tasted victory in
more than a month and is hoping a showdown with the Houston Astros tonight in
the opener of a four-game series will change that.

Hudson is 0-3 with a 6.66 earned run average in his last five assignments, but
sports a solid career mark against the Astros, going 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA in
five starts. He last toed the rubber in Sunday’s 6-4 loss at New York and
allowed five runs on seven hits over four innings.

The right-hander, who hasn’t won since a one-hit shutout versus Milwaukee on
May 4, fell to 4-5 in 12 starts this season and unintentionally raised his ERA
to 4.14. Hudson looks to even his 2-3 road mark tonight in his sixth start
this season away from Turner Field.

Atlanta is coming off a three-game sweep of the Florida Marlins and improved
to 4-2 on a 10-game road trip with Thursday’s 3-2 win at Sun Life Stadium.
Jair Jurrjens reached the eight-win mark (8-2) with seven innings of two-run
ball, while Eric O’Flaherty and Jonny Venters both tossed a scoreless inning
of relief, with Venters tacking on his second save.

“He made pitches when he had to,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said of
Jurrjens, who is one of six pitchers with eight victories.

Jurrjens and Alex Gonzalez both drove in a run for the Braves, who have won
five of seven games overall. Braves outfielder/third baseman Martin Prado
hasn’t played since Tuesday with a knee bruise and could return to the lineup
tonight. He’s batting .277 with eight homers and 33 RBI this season.

Atlanta is seven games over .500 for the first time since ending the 2010
season with a 91-71 ledger. Braves catcher Brian McCann doubled in last
night’s win and has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 contests.

Houston dropped two of three matchups with St. Louis to kick off a 10-game
homestand and lost for the fifth time in six tries with Thursday’s 9-2 setback
in the series finale.

Astros left-hander J.A. Happ was clobbered for six runs and six hits in 5 1/3
innings to fall to 3-8, while Jeff Keppinger and Brett Wallace were each
credited with an RBI for Houston, which will also host Pittsburgh for three
games on the residency.

“Whatever my terrible record is or whatever my terrible ERA is it doesn’t make
sense. It’s not the pitcher I am. I’m going to have to figure it out,” Happ
said.

Hunter Pence had two hits and scored a run to extend his hitting streak to a
career-best 20 games. Pence is hitting .390 with three homers and 14 RBI
during the run.

“It’s fun,” Pence said on Houston’s website. “It’s not that I don’t know it’s
going on. I’m not superstitious. It’s a hit streak, it’s fun, and that’s
baseball. People like to follow those things. I want to keep it going as long
as I can and enjoy the ride. It’s not like I’m coming to the park to not get
hits. I’m coming to hit.”

Taking the mound for the Astros tonight will be rookie Aneury Rodriguez, who’s
struggled to an 0-3 mark and a 4.95 ERA in his last seven trips to the hill.
The right-hander last pitched in a 6-3 loss at San Diego on Saturday and gave
up three runs in six innings to fall to 0-3 in 16 games (7 starts).

Rodriguez is 0-2 in eight games (3 starts) at home and has never faced the
Braves in his career.

Atlanta swept a two-game set against Houston from May 16-17 and has won eight
of the previous nine encounters between the two ballclubs.

The Sports Network

By Rivers McCown

– Managing Editor

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Jun 10, 2011 – (Sports Network) – Atlanta Braves starter Tim Hudson hasn’t tasted victory in more than a month and is hoping a showdown with the Houston Astros tonight in the opener of a four-game series will change that.

Hudson is 0-3 with a 6.66 earned run average in his last five assignments, but sports a solid career mark against the Astros, going 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA in five starts. He last toed the rubber in Sunday’s 6-4 loss at New York and allowed five runs on seven hits over four innings.

The right-hander, who hasn’t won since a one-hit shutout versus Milwaukee on May 4, fell to 4-5 in 12 starts this season and unintentionally raised his ERA to 4.14. Hudson looks to even his 2-3 road mark tonight in his sixth start this season away from Turner Field.

Atlanta is coming off a three-game sweep of the Florida Marlins and improved to 4-2 on a 10-game road trip with Thursday’s 3-2 win at Sun Life Stadium. Jair Jurrjens reached the eight-win mark (8-2) with seven innings of two-run ball, while Eric O’Flaherty and Jonny Venters both tossed a scoreless inning of relief, with Venters tacking on his second save.

“He made pitches when he had to,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said of Jurrjens, who is one of six pitchers with eight victories.

Jurrjens and Alex Gonzalez both drove in a run for the Braves, who have won five of seven games overall. Braves outfielder/third baseman Martin Prado hasn’t played since Tuesday with a knee bruise and could return to the lineup tonight. He’s batting .277 with eight homers and 33 RBI this season.

Atlanta is seven games over .500 for the first time since ending the 2010 season with a 91-71 ledger. Braves catcher Brian McCann doubled in last night’s win and has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 contests.

Houston dropped two of three matchups with St. Louis to kick off a 10-game homestand and lost for the fifth time in six tries with Thursday’s 9-2 setback in the series finale.

Astros left-hander J.A. Happ was clobbered for six runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings to fall to 3-8, while Jeff Keppinger and Brett Wallace were each credited with an RBI for Houston, which will also host Pittsburgh for three games on the residency.

“Whatever my terrible record is or whatever my terrible ERA is it doesn’t make sense. It’s not the pitcher I am. I’m going to have to figure it out,” Happ said.

Hunter Pence had two hits and scored a run to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 20 games. Pence is hitting .390 with three homers and 14 RBI during the run.

“It’s fun,” Pence said on Houston’s website. “It’s not that I don’t know it’s going on. I’m not superstitious. It’s a hit streak, it’s fun, and that’s baseball. People like to follow those things. I want to keep it going as long as I can and enjoy the ride. It’s not like I’m coming to the park to not get hits. I’m coming to hit.”

Taking the mound for the Astros tonight will be rookie Aneury Rodriguez, who’s struggled to an 0-3 mark and a 4.95 ERA in his last seven trips to the hill. The right-hander last pitched in a 6-3 loss at San Diego on Saturday and gave up three runs in six innings to fall to 0-3 in 16 games (7 starts).

Rodriguez is 0-2 in eight games (3 starts) at home and has never faced the Braves in his career.

Atlanta swept a two-game set against Houston from May 16-17 and has won eight of the previous nine encounters between the two ballclubs.

Read More: Tim Hudson (P – ATL), Jair Jurrjens (P – ATL), Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves

Read More: J.A. Happ (P – HOU), Lance Berkman (RF – STL), Ryan Theriot (SS – STL), Albert Pujols (1B – STL), Lance Lynn (P – STL), Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals

Lance Lynn picked up his first win and Lance Berkman hit another home run against his former team Thursday, as the St. Louis Cardinals rolled over J.A. Happ and the Houston Astros by a score of 9-2 Thursday night. Ryan Theriot hit his first home run of the season and doubled for the Cardinals, who picked up a game on the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central ahead of their weekend series. Lynn allowed one run in five innings for his win; Happ allowed six in five innings to take the loss.

Albert Pujols got the start at third base, his third of the season, with rookie Mark Hamilton at first; Tyler Greene got a rare start at second base, with Daniel Descalso coming in to complete the infield machinations after Lynn left the game. Hunter Pence had two hits for the Astros, who are just 24-39 in 2011, last in the National League. Eduardo Sanchez finished the game with two perfect innings to lower his ERA to 1.95 in his rookie season. 

HOUSTON —

The Houston Astros failed to convert their scoring chances early in the game. The St. Louis Cardinals took full advantage of their opportunities.

Lance Berkman broke a tie with an RBI single and pinch-hitter Daniel Descalso had a two-run double in St. Louis’ five-run sixth in the Cardinals’ 9-2 victory Thursday night.

Berkman, the former Astro who hit a solo homer to break up Bud Norris’ no-hit bid in the seventh inning in the Cardinals’ 4-1 loss Wednesday night, snapped a 1-1 tie with a single off the scoreboard in left after Jon Jay singled and Albert Pujols drew a walk off J.A. Happ (3-8).

Mark Hamilton’s fielder’s choice grounder to second baseman Jeff Keppinger scored Pujols, and Wilton Lopez’s bases-loaded walk brought home Hamilton. Then, Descalso delivered the two-run double to cap the inning.

“It’s frustrating,” Happ said. “Six or seven games in a row I start the game and I feel like I’m going to go seven or eight innings. Whatever my terrible record, whatever my terrible ERA is, it doesn’t make sense. It’s not the pitcher I am. I’m going to find a way to figure it out. I felt good and just left a few balls up in the sixth inning and the rest is history.”

Berkman added his 15th homer in the ninth.

“I’ve got a different uniform on, but it’s still a great place to hit,” Berkman said. “I’m just trying not to make an out. I’ll enjoy it and try to get ready for the game tomorrow.”

In six games at Minute Maid this season, Berkman is hitting .480 with five home runs and 12 RBIs.

The Astros did little to boost their chances when the game was still winnable.

They were punchless with runners in scoring position, blowing a bases-loaded chance to take the lead in the third inning and finishing the game 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

“The first five innings, Happ threw the ball extremely well and worked out of some things,” Astros manager Brad Mills said. “Offensively, we had some opportunities early in the game. We had our opportunities.”

Astros outfielder Hunter Pence extended his career best and major league-leading hitting streak to 20 games with a single in the first inning. He finished 2 for 4, but his 10th multihit game during the streak wasn’t enough to prevent his team from losing for the fifth time in six games.

Pence’s 20-game streak is the longest of his career and the Astros’ longest since Miguel Tejada hit in 21 straight games in 2009. It was little consolation.

“It’s part of the game,” Pence said. “Sometimes you get them, sometimes they get you out.”

Ryan Theriot, whose hitting streak was snapped at 20 on Wednesday night, had a double and his first homer for St. Louis. He’s been watching Berkman.

“Lance has had a great year and I don’t think he’s just picking on the Astros, he’s picking on everybody,” Theriot said. “He’s swung the bat well and been consistent particularly well here but he’s played a lot of games here and he’s comfortable here.”

Lance Lynn (1-1) benefited from the Cardinals’ big inning. He pitched five innings, allowed six hits and one run. He walked three and struck out three.

“The first three innings felt like the longest innings of my life,” Lynn said. “After that I started getting into a rhythm and throwing more strikes and throwing good pitches. I stopped giving them pitches to hit.”

NOTES: St. Louis’ Tony La Russa will manage his 5,000th game Friday night at Milwaukee. He will join Connie Mack (7,755) as the only manager or coach in American professional sports history to reach 5,000 games. … Pujols has hit for extra bases in six straight games. He had his 435th double in the seventh inning to break a tie for second with Hall of Famer Lou Brock on the Cardinals’ career list.