ST. LOUIS, April 26 (UPI) -- Carlos Lee finished off a three-run ninth inning with a solo homer Friday, rallying the Houston Astros to a 3-2 win over St. Louis.
The Cardinals were coasting into the ninth, thanks chiefly to a two-hit effort over seven innings by Branden Looper.
Jason Isringhausen, with eight saves to his credit, was called on to protect the lead in the ninth, but he gave up a one-out single to Darin Erstad and a triple to Miguel Tejada. A sacrifice fly from Lance Berkman drove in Tejada to tie the game and Lee then hit the first pitch he saw over the wall in left.
St. Louis put the tying run on third with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Jose Valverde struck out Rick Ankiel and got Chris Duncan to pop out to pick up his fourth save.
The win went to Wesley Wright (3-0), who worked the eighth inning.
The game was delayed by rain at the start for two hours.
