MLB: Houston 7, N.Y. Mets 3

HOUSTON, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- A grand slam by pinch-hitter Mark Loretta in the eighth inning broke up a tie game Friday and lifted the Houston Astros to a 7-3 victory over the New York Mets.

All of the Astros runs came on homers, with Kaz Matsui, starting pitcher Brandon Backe and Carlos Lee producing solo shots in Houston's third win in four games.

The Mets lost their second straight and slipped back into third place in the National League East. They are a half game behind second-place Florida and a game behind division-leading Philadelphia.

Doug Brocail (5-5) retired the final two batters in the eighth inning to get the win.

Loretta's homer came off Aaron Heilman (1-5).

Heilman allowed a leadoff single to Miguel Tejada in the eighth and Lance Berkman reached on a ground-rule double. Lee was walked intentionally to load the bases before Hunter Pence grounded into a force play at home.

Loretta came in to bat for Brocail and hit a 1-0 pitch out to left. It was his fourth career pinch-hit homer and his second this season. His only other grand slam came six years ago while he was with San Diego.