HOUSTON, July 8 (UPI) -- Roy Oswalt pitched a 1-hitter Thursday and Lance Berkman hit two home runs in a 2-0 Houston Astros win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Oswalt (6-10) walked two and struck out eight. The only hit he surrendered was a two-out, first-inning single to Neil Walker.
Oswalt retired 12 consecutive batters in one stretch and only one Pirate got as far as second base. That was in the sixth inning when Andrew McCutchen walked and was sent to second on a balk call. Only one other Pittsburgh player reached base the rest of the way.
Pittsburgh starter Ross Ohlendorf (1-7) allowed seven hits, including both of Berkman's home runs, and one walk over seven innings.
Berkman's home runs came on his first two at-bats of the day. He delivered a two-out shot in the first inning that cleared the left-field wall and hit another homer to left leading off the fourth inning. He has 12 home runs on the year.
