SAN DIEGO, June 3 (UPI) -- Chris Johnson hit a solo homer Thursday to help lift the Houston Astros to their season-best fourth straight win, 7-4 over San Diego.
The Padres made two errors during Houston's five-run fifth inning and three Astros relievers combined for three hitless frames.
Johnson singled home a run in the first and added his sixth homer of the season in the sixth.
Houston did most of its damage, however, during a wild third inning.
With Tim Stauffer (1-4) on the mound, Clint Barmes and Hunter Pence started the inning with singles. A ground-rule double by Carlos Lee brought home Barmes.
Jeff Keppinger then reached on a rare call of catcher's interference to load the bases and a groundout by Brett Wallace delivered Pence.
After Johnson was intentionally walked to again load the bases, shortstop Jason Bartlett bobbled a J.R. Towles ground ball allowing Lee to score. Pitcher Bud Norris followed by hitting a grounder to short on which a force play was recorded at second. The relay throw to first by second baseman Logan Forsythe, however, sailed wide and that error allowed both Keppinger and Johnson to score.
Norris (3-4) got the win despite allowing four runs in six innings. Mark Melancon walked one and struck out two in the ninth for his fifth save.
