Sep 18, 2007, 3:40 GMT
Houston, TX - Yovani Gallardo and Chris Spurling combined on a seven-hit shutout and Corey Hart went 2-for-4 with two RBI to lead the Brewers over the Astros, 6-0, in the opener of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park.
Gallardo (9-4) allowed seven hits, struck out five and walked three in winning his fourth straight start for the Brewers, who remain one game behind the Cubs for the lead in the NL Central. Chicago beat the Reds 7-6 on Monday night.
The rookie right-hander extended his scoreless innings streak to 21 and has allowed just two earned runs over his last 28 frames.
Kevin Mench added a solo homer, and Gabe Gross and Johnny Estrada each drove in a run for Milwaukee, which has won three straight. Prince Fielder went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 15 games.
Josh Anderson had two of the seven hits for Houston, which had a two-game win streak halted and lost for the 11th time in 15 outings.
Milwaukee started the scoring in the first inning. when Hart doubled home a pair of runs off Houston starter Matt Albers.
In the fourth, Fielder scored when Hunter Pence committed a throwing error off the bat of Hart. Gross then doubled home Hart and later scored on an Estrada sac fly for a 5-0 lead.
All five runs were charged to Albers (4-9), who also surrendered five hits, walked one and struck out three over 3 1/3 innings.
Mench added a homer in the ninth, pinch hitting for Gallardo.
Game Notes
Mench's HR was his first as a pinch hitter. He has eight HRs this season...Houston's Carlos Lee went 1-for-4 and now has a hit in five straight games...Gallardo threw 108 pitches, 72 for strikes.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Game Notes.
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