HOUSTON, April 7 (UPI) -- Richard Hidalgo's two-run single capped a three-run ninth inning and Darryle Ward led off the bottom of the 12th with his second homer as the Houston Astros avoided a three-game sweep Sunday by rallying for a 7-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
After surrendering six runs over the final three innings in Friday's 8-4 loss, Houston relievers allowed three in the eighth and ninth as St. Louis took a 6-3 lead. But Steve Kline and Mike Timlin could not nail down the win for the Cardinals.
Pinch hitter Brian Hunter led off with a bloop single against Kline, who retired Geoff Blum on a flyout and Jose Vizcaino on a groundout. After Gregg Zaun walked, Timlin came out of the bullpen and was greeted by Jeff Bagwell, who doubled into the left-field corner to trim the Astros' deficit to 6-4.
Lance Berkman was intentionally walked, but Hidalgo foiled manager Tony La Russa's strategy and tied it by sneaking a single past shortstop Edgar Renteria.
Houston nearly won it in the 11th, but center fielder Jim Edmonds nailed Vizcaino at the plate trying to score on Hidalgo's flyout.
After rookie Ricky Stone (1-0) tossed a second straight hitless inning, Ward hit an 0-1 pitch from Luther Hackman (0-1) high off the right-field foul pole.
The win completed a 3-3 homestand for the Astros, who hit the road for their next nine games.
