Nats Snap Astros Winning Streak

(NEWSER) - Carlos Lee had the go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning and Lance Berkman had a career-high five hits to lead the Houston Astros to a 6-5 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night. Miguel Tejada and Berkman both singled in the eighth before Lee's hit to right field. Austin Kearns dived for the ball, but it bounced just in front of him. More»

Berkman's 2-run homer backs Houston's first shutout of season

(NEWSER) - Brandon Backe pitched five strong innings and Lance Berkman hit a two-run homer and scored another run, helping the Houston Astros beat the Florida Marlins 5-0 last night. Backe (1-1) gave up five hits and five walks with two strikeouts in 105 pitches. Florida put runners in scoring positions in every inning Backe pitched and came away with nothing, stranding nine runners in all. More»

Rays at the head of the class—Rockies, Marlins at the back

(NEWSER) - Report card time! Here’s how the rambunctious kids of MLB are doing so far, in Yahoo Sports’ Steven Henson’s estimation. A students—Rays, Red Sox, Cubs, Angels, White Sox Particular kudos go to the Rays, the poor kid who went to the head of the class. B students—Cardinals, Brewers, Twins, Phillies, Yankees, Athletics, Marlins, Orioles The Cardinals have a slight edge in the wildcard race. The Yankees, meanwhile, barely scrape together a B. More»

Astros' underrated Berkman racks up unbelievable numbers

(NEWSER) - The best player in baseball right now is hitting .399 on the season, and .586 over the past 15 games, but he's not getting the recognition he deserves, Richard Justice writes in the Houston Chronicle. In past seasons at least, Lance Berkman has been overshadowed by bigger names, but it's time for Astros fans to stand for the Big Puma. More»

(NEWSER) - Jason Bergmann never got a chance to plead his case to stay in the game after seven shutout innings. No matter. The pinch hitter who replaced him made Bergmann a winner. Willie Harris helped put Washington ahead with a key sacrifice bunt, then saved the slick-fielding Nationals by making a sensational catch in the ninth inning of yesterday's 1-0 victory over the New York Mets. More»