Scott lifts Astros over Cubs in 11th inning

Sep 12, 2007, 4:19 GMT

Houston, TX - Luke Scott tripled home the winning run in the 11th inning, as the Houston Astros kept the Chicago Cubs out of first place in the National League Central standings with a 5-4 victory in the first of three straight games at Minute Maid Park.

With the score knotted at four from the seventh inning on, Houston got the winning run in the 11th after going hit-less for six innings. With one out, Mark Loretta walked and was replaced by pinch-runner Eric Bruntlett, who scored easily on Scott's triple to center field on a 2-0 pitch from Ryan Dempster (2-6).

Hunter Pence had a pair of hits and runs batted in for Houston, which ended a five-game losing streak that included getting swept over the weekend by the New York Mets. Brandon Backe, who lost his 2007 debut on September 4 at Milwaukee, allowed four runs on six hits with four walks and three strikeouts over five frames for Houston. Brad Lidge (4-2) earned the win after two scoreless innings of relief.

Mark DeRosa homered for Chicago, which fell a game behind Milwaukee in the NL Central after the Brewers beat Pittsburgh 6-1. Jacque Jones had three hits and scored a run in the loss for the Cubs, who have lost four of six.

Chicago starter Jason Marquis, who is 3-1 over his last seven outings, allowed four runs - three earned - on eight hits with a strikeout over five-plus frames.

The Cubs blew an opportunity to score with the bases loaded in the 11th, as Jones flied out to center to end the frame.

Chicago got on the board in the second when Jones singled and scored on Jason Kendall's double. Alfonso Soriano got hit by a pitch and Ryan Theriot walked to load the bases for Derrek Lee, who flied out to right field, ending the inning.

Houston answered with a run in the home half thanks to some shoddy pitcher- catcher communication, as Scott singled and moved to second on Ty Wigginton's groundout before advancing to third and scoring on pair of wild pitches.

The Cubs put up three runs in the third when Cliff Floyd walked, Aramis Ramirez singled, and DeRosa belted a three-run shot to left field on the first pitch he saw.

Houston scored a pair of runs in the fifth, as Humberto Quintero doubled, pinch-hitter Jason Lane singled, and Pence tripled home both baserunners with one out. Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman groundouts left him there, though.

The Astros tied the score at four with a run in the sixth when Carlos Lee singled and scored on Loretta's double.

Game Notes

Biggio is in sole possession of fifth place on the Astros' doubles list with 666...Pence's triple was his 51st extra-base hit this season, breaking Berkman's and Luis Gonzalez's previous franchise record...Houston holds a 7-6 edge over Chicago in the 2007 season series, with the Astros posting a three- game sweep at home from August 6-8 this season.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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