Astros 5, Cardinals 2
Hunter Pence hit a three-run homer and Nelson Figueroa turned in another strong start as the Houston Astros completed a three-game sweep of the struggling St. Louis Cardinals with a 5-2 victory on Wednesday.
Michael Bourn and Carlos Lee each chipped in sacrifice flys for the Astros, who have won nine of 11 and improved their record to 62-71 in their quest to finish the season with a .500 mark.
Trailing 2-0 in the fifth, Houston finally got to veteran Jeff Suppan (1-7) with a four-run rally. Bourn plated the first run with his sacrifice fly before Pence gave his team the lead with his 21st homer of the season. Pence finished the game 2-for-2 with a stolen base - his 17th.
Figueroa (4-2), who was picked up off waivers by the Astros in July, allowed two runs and six hits in five innings. The right-hander has allowed two runs or less in all four of his starts since joining the Houston rotation.
Brandon Lyon worked the ninth for his 11th save.
Matt Holliday hit a two-run homer for the Cardinals, who have dropped five straight and eight of nine.