Astros snap Brewers' 8-game winning streak

[July 26, 2008]  MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Wandy Rodriguez allowed one run on three hits over six innings to help the Houston Astros snap the Milwaukee Brewers' eight-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory on Friday night.

Sacrifice flies by pinch hitter Mark Loretta and Kazuo Matsui, and Lance Berkman's RBI single, ended the Brewers' shot at winning nine in a row for the first time since taking 10 straight from Aug. 19-28, 2003.

The loss also cost Milwaukee (59-44) a chance at moving into a tie for first with the Chicago Cubs (60-43) in the NL Central. The Cubs lost to the Florida Marlins, 3-2.

Rodriguez (6-3) helped the Astros snap a four-game losing streak in his first start this season against Milwaukee. Houston's last win was his on Saturday, when he held the Cubs to one run in 6 2-3 innings of a 4-1 victory.

Rodriguez also cooled off Ryan Braun, whose two-run homer in the top of the ninth Thursday capped his second straight four-hit game and lifted Milwaukee to a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Braun was 0-for-3 with a walk after reaching base in nine straight plate appearances and going 14-for-29 on the Brewers' perfect seven-game trip through San Francisco and St. Louis.

Christopher Sampson pitched 1 1-3 innings of scoreless relief. Wesley Wright retired Prince Fielder, the only batter he faced. Jose Valverde finished for his 26th save in 32 chances as the Brewers' club record of 20 consecutive games with a homer ended.

Milwaukee opened a seven-game homestand with plenty of momentum, but Rodriguez ground them to a halt with his first victory in his last six starts at Miller Park since May 28, 2005.

The Astros chased Manny Parra (9-3) in the seventh and took a 3-1 lead.

Houston loaded the bases on a walk, infield hit and a fielder's choice when catcher Jason Kendall's throw to third after grabbing Humberto Quintero's sacrifice was high and late. Reliever David Riske came on and Loretta, hitting for Rodriquez, flied to center. Hunter Pence advanced on the play and came home on Matsui's fly to the warning track in left, and Quintero scored on Berkman's hit.

Parra allowed three runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out five. He hadn't lost since the Astros beat him 6-2 in Houston on May 3, a span of 15 starts.

Corey Hart saved Parra and the Brewers from trouble in the sixth.

An infield single by Matsui, a sacrifice and walk put runners at first and second. Carlos Lee hit a sharp line drive to Hart in right, and his one-hop throw easily nailed Matsui at the plate. Miguel Tejada grounded out to end the inning.

Hart led off the second with a single, advanced on a balk and scored Milwaukee's lone run on Cameron's double. Rickie Weeks had the other hit off Rodriguez.

[Associated Press]

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