Internet News Services from baseballhistorian.com 6.18.2009 - The Houston Astros rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat its arch-rival Texas Rangers before 25,445 fans in Arlington, Texas, and went on to post a 5-3 win and so, avoided a Rangers 3-game sweep. Astros center fielder and leadoff Michael Bourn had 2 hits in 5 trips to the plate and one RBI, teammate Carlos Lee, DH, went 2-for 4 with an RBI and right-fielder Hunter Prence blasted a tie-breaking solo homer in the 8th inning putting Houston up 4-3. Astros catcher Humberto Quintero rose to the occasion and had 2 hits in 4 at bats, scored one run and drove in his 9 run of the 2009 season. The homer for Hunter Pence was his 10 of the year and came off Rangers reliever Jason Jennings, 4-hits, 1-walk, 2-runs in 2 innings. The right-handed Jason Jennings fell to 2-2 w/l for the year. Houston starter Brandon Backe, 30-years-old, allowed 4-hits, 3-runs in 4 innings. Reliever Wesley Wright struck out 3, walked 2, no hits or runs in 2 2/3 innings, Alberto Arias (1-0) picked up a win by pitching 1/3 inning, LaTroy Hawkins allowed 2-hits, no runs in the 8th, and Jose Valverde posted his 3rd save of the year by working a scoreless 9th. Texas third baseman Michael Young was 2 for 4 and lined a solo homer off Brandon Backe. It was his 9th homer of the year. David Murphy went 2-for-3 for the Rangers. Houston Astros June 18, 2009 Lineup and season batting average Michael Bourn cf .295... Jeff Keppinger 3b .256... Miguel Tejada ss .341... Carlos Lee dh .315... Lance Berkman 1b .243... Hunter Pence rf .326... kazuo Matsui 2b .231... Darin Erstad lf .119... Humberto Quintero c .3000... Pitchers Brandon Backe 4 IP... Wesley Wright 2.2 IP... Alberto Arias 1/3 IP... LaTroy Hawkins 1 IP... Jose Valverde 1P Texas Rangers June 18, 2009 Lineup Ian Kinsler 2b .267... Michael Young 3b .323... Hank Blalock dh .247... Nelson Cruz rf .278... David Murphy lf .266... Marlon Byrd cf .287... Chris Davis 1b .201... Taylor Teagarden c ..228... Jones ph .243... Elvis Andrus .260... Pitchers Vicente Padilla 6 IP... Jason Jennings 2 IP... Jason Grilli 1 IP |