Lance Berkman singled in two runs with two out in the ninth against NL saves leader Matt Capps as the Houston Astros answered Washington’s late rally with one of their own in an 8-7 victory Tuesday night.
The Nationals grabbed a 7-6 lead with a two-run rally against Houston closer Matt Lidstrom on RBI singles from Roger Bernadina and Ian Desmond.
But Pedro Feliz reached on Ryan Zimmerman’s fielding error to start Houston’s ninth. He was sacrificed to second by Kevin Cash and pinch hitter Cory Sullivan’s double off the wall in left field put runners on second and third.
Capps (0-2), who lead the league with 17 saves and had only blown one opportunity, intentionally walked Michael Bourn to load the bases, but after getting a second out, Berkman drove the ball to left to win it. He finished with five RBIs.
Wilton Lopez (2-0) got the final two outs in the ninth for Houston.
Lindstrom spoiled a solid seven inning performance by Houston starter Brett Myers, who allowed four hits and struck out 10 and walked three.
Houston took a 3-0 first inning lead on Berkman’s two-run double and Feliz’s had a sacrifice fly in the third for a 4-0 lead.
Washington tied it in the fifth aided by two Houston errors.
Hunter Pence’s ninth homer gave Houston the lead at 5-4 in the fifth and Berkman’s single added a run in the sixth off reliever Drew Storen.
NOTES: Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn is hitting .290 with 110 RBIs with the bases loaded. Astros shortstop Tommy Manzella had reached base safely in 14 of his last 17 games prior to Tuesday night. The Astros placed right-handed pitcher Chris Sampson on the 15-day disabled list because of tendinitis in his right rotator cuff. The Astros purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Casey Daigle from Triple-A Round Rock to replace Sampson on the 25-man roster. Before his error, Berkman was the only NL first baseman without a miscue this season.
