ST. LOUIS, April 15 (UPI) -- Jeff Keppinger knocked in three runs Thursday, helping the Houston Astros to their first victory of the season with a 5-1 decision over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Houston starter Bud Norris (1-1) and three relievers allowed six hits and one run -- unearned -- as the Astros ended their season-opening eight-game losing streak. It was Houston's worst start since an 0-9 run in 1983.
Houston got to St. Louis starter Kyle Lohse (0-1) for a pair of runs over seven innings but then roughed up reliever Mitchell Boggs for four hits and three runs in just two-thirds of an inning.
The Astros scored twice in the third inning with Chris Johnson singling in one run and Michael Bourn scoring from first on a Keppinger double.
Houston's clinching rally was off Boggs in the eighth when Keppinger singled home two runs with two outs and scored on a Pedro Feliz double.
David Freese had the lone St. Louis RBI with a fourth-inning single.
