Colabello's slam gives Twins 10-6 win over Astros

[September 03, 2013]  HOUSTON (AP) -- Rookie Chris Colabello homered twice, including a tiebreaking grand slam in the ninth inning, to lift the Minnesota Twins to a 10-6 win over the Houston Astros on Monday.

It was 6-all before Chia-Jen Lo (0-3) allowed a single to Brian Dozier with one out in the ninth. Doug Bernier and Chris Herrmann drew two-out walks on full-count pitches before Colabello hit the next pitch into the bullpen in right-center.

It was the first career grand slam for Colabello, who ended a 0-for-23 skid with a single on Sunday.

The Twins trailed 5-1 after two innings, but chipped away at the lead with the help of solo homers by Trevor Plouffe, Colabello and Dozier. A two-out RBI single by Pedro Florimon tied it in the eighth.

Chris Carter and Jason Castro drove in two runs apiece for the Astros, who have lost six of seven.

Josh Roenicke (3-1) pitched two hitless innings for the win.

Minnesota starter Andrew Albers was tagged for nine hits and five runs, tying career highs, in 1 2-3 innings.

Houston's Paul Clemens yielded seven hits and four runs in 3 2-3 innings in his second major league start after making 30 relief appearances.

Trevor Crowe hit an RBI single that capped a three-run first for Houston.

Plouffe homered in the second. The Astros scored twice in their half.

NOTES: The series continues tomorrow when Houston rookie Jarred Cosart opposes Pedro Hernandez. ... Longtime former Astros radio broadcaster Milo Hamilton was at the ballpark on Monday to celebrate his 86th birthday.

[Associated Press; By KRISTIE RIEKEN]

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