Lance Berkman led the Houston Astros over the Cincinnati Reds by the score of 5-3 on Thursday afternoon.  Berkman had three RBI including a two run home run in the first inning that got the scoring going.

Besides Berkman’s three RBI, Jack Cassel and Darin Erstad both had an RBI each.

Cassel also picked up the win for the Astros as he tossed five innings of seven hit baseball.  He did allow three earned runs in his five innings of action.  Tim Byrdak, Doug Brocail, and Jose Valverde pitched the final four innings.  Valverde got back on track as he picked up his third save of the season.

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The Houston Astros gave up four runs in the eigth inning to let the San Diego Padres back in the game, but then they quickly came right back and got those four runs back and went onto beat the Padres 11-7 on Tuesday night.

Kaz Matsui had a single in the eigth inning that scored the go ahead runs as he finished with two RBI on the night.  Miguel Tejada, Lance Berkman, and Hunter Pence all had two RBI as well.  Darin Erstad, Carlos Lee, and Geoff Blum all had one RBI.  Blum and Pence both hit long balls for the Astros.

On the mound for the Astros, Jose Valverde picked up the win to improve his record to 3-1 on the season.  It was nice to see Valverde not blow a game!  Brandon Backe had started the game and pitched seven innings while giving up four hits and three earned runs.  Doug Brocail sucked it up as he gave up four hits and four earned runs while only recording one out in relief of Backe.

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