DENVER-
Lance Berkman drove in two runs and Wandy Rodriguez pitched five strong innings to lead the Houston Astros past the Colorado Rockies 4-1 on Tuesday night.
Houston only had one other hit when Berkman laced a two-run double in the sixth inning. He had to watch the lead stand up from the clubhouse, after getting ejected in the eighth inning for arguing a called third strike.
Luke Scott had three hits for the Astros, including a two-run homer in the ninth.
The benches briefly cleared in the ninth inning, when Manny Corpas pitched behind Carlos Lee. Phil Garner joined Berkman in the clubhouse when he was ejected for arguing with umpire Ed Rapuano that something should have been done to Corpas.
Rodriguez (3-5) gave up one run on five hits for his first win since May 19. He struck out seven and walked one.
Dan Wheeler pitched a perfect ninth for his 10th save in 11 chances.
Jason Hirsh (2-6), who came to Colorado in an offseason trade from the Astros, retired the first 14 batters he faced before Scott lined a double to center with two outs in the fifth. Hirsch gave up two runs on five hits in six-plus innings to remain winless in his last eight starts.
He is 0-5 in that stretch and hasn’t won since beating San Diego on April 22.
Rodriguez allowed leadoff doubles to Willie Taveras and Garrett Atkins in the first two innings, but worked out of trouble.
Colorado broke through in the fourth on Matt Holliday’s leadoff triple into the gap in left-center field. One out later, Atkins drilled a double to right to score Holliday and give the Rockies a 1-0 lead.
Rodriguez avoided further damage after Brad Hawpe reached on Craig Biggio’s error and Yorvit Torrealba walked to load the bases by striking out Hirsh.
Houston got to Hirsh in the sixth inning, after a leadoff walk to Brad Ausmus and a hit-and run single to pinch hitter Orlando Palmeiro. Hirsch struck out Biggio and got Hunter Pence to line out to third base, before Berkman lined a double to center to score Ausmus and Palmeiro.
Helton tripled to center off Dave Borowski to start the sixth, but Borowski retired the next three hitters in order.
Hirsh left after giving up a single to Scott and a double to Adam Everett to open the seventh.
Notes:@ Former Rockie RHP Jason Jennings spent time in the Colorado clubhouse before the game. … Pence was robbed twice by catches by Atkins. … The Colorado Rockies designated outfielder Steve Finley for assignment. … Colorado purchased the contract of outfielder Sean Barker from Triple-A Colorado Springs. … Holliday has a 13-game hitting streak. Willie Taveras has a 10-game hitting streak.
