HOUSTON (AP) - Matt Albers pitched seven solid innings and Lance Berkman homered for the second straight game as the Houston Astros beat St. Louis 2-1.
The loss drops the Cardinals two and a-half games behind N-L
Central-leading Chicago. The Cubs host Milwaukee tonight.
Luke Scott's second-inning RBI double gave the Astros a 1-0 lead
but St. Louis pulled even on David Eckstein's run-scoring groundout
in the third. Berkman hit his 26th homer off losing pitcher Joel
Pineiro to lead off the fourth.
Albers is 4-and-6 after giving up one run on three hits with
four walks and three strikeouts. Brad Lidge (lihj) got the final
three outs for his 14th save.
Pineiro is 4-and-3 after allowing two runs on five hits over six
innings.