Major League Baseball

Astros lament missed opportunities in loss

Published Sep. 25, 2011 6:08 a.m. ET

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The Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies had plenty of chances Saturday night, and neither team could come up with a clutch hit.

Finally, Jordan Lyles handed a victory to the Rockies.

Lyles walked Chris Nelson with the bases loaded in the 13th inning and Colorado snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory.

Pinch-hitter Tommy Field sparked the winning rally with a leadoff walk. Eric Young then reached on a bunt single against Lyles (2-8), with Field going on to third on an error by catcher Humberto Quintero.

Young moved up on defensive indifference, but Mark Ellis grounded out. Dexter Fowler was intentionally walked to set the stage for Nelson, who forced home the tiebreaking run. Pinch-hitter Wilin Rosario added a sacrifice fly.

Matt Reynolds (1-2) pitched an inning to get the victory and Rafael Betancourt finished for his seventh save in 10 opportunities.

''The thing that is frustrating is we were 0 for 8 or 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position,'' Astros manager Brad Mills said. ''You'd like to get a couple of bunts down to keep the opportunity alive, to keep it moving.''

Each team had their chances late in the 200,000th regular-season game in major league history.

The Rockies put runners on second and third with one out in the 11th and failed to score. Nelson hit a dribbler to pitcher Fernando Rodriguez, who underhanded the ball to Quintero in time to get Young at home. Fowler took third base on the play but Ty Wigginton was called out on strikes and ejected when he slammed him batting helmet to the ground.

''You could make a case for Betancourt being in the game four or five innings before he actually got in there to pitch,'' Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. ''It goes back to the opportunities we had with runners in scoring position with less than two outs.''

Houston had runners on first and second with two out in the ninth but pinch-hitter Matt Downs bounced into a fielder's choice. Downs stayed in the game at first base and popped out with two down and runners on second and third in the 11th.

Brett Wallace hit a leadoff drive in the second to give the Astros a 2-0 lead. Wallace's fifth homer traveled an estimated 448 feet to center field.

''That is definitely one of the best feelings in the world,'' said Wallace, who snapped an 0-for-28 slump. ''It was awesome just to be back in the lineup. Obviously, I need to continue to make adjustments and keep hitting the ball well. It's rewarding to have that happen.''

Jordan Pacheco hit a tying two-run double in the fourth for Colorado.

J.A. Happ of the Astros and Rockies starter Jason Hammel each allowed three hits in seven innings.

''You had to feel good about what you saw from Jason Hammel,'' Tracy said. ''He was absolutely the same as he's been in his last three outings. He pounded the strike zone. He was aggressive. His pitch efficiency was terrific.''

Hammel struck out three and walked one. The right-hander is 0-1 with a save and a 1.85 ERA in his last seven appearances, two starts.

Happ struck out five and walked four while throwing a season-high 126 pitches. The left-hander went 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA in his last five starts of the season.

''I wanted to finish strong, was hoping to end things with a win here,'' he said. ''Came up a little short, but I feel like I took us deep enough into the game that I gave us a good chance. That is kind of where I wanted to be as often as possible.

''I think I am just pitching with a little more confidence.''

NOTES: The Astros are 11-5 at home since August 16 and 16-14 at home in the second half. ... Lucas Harrell will start Sunday for Houston in place of Bud Norris (biceps tendinitis). ... The Astros recognized second baseman Jose Altuve as the team's minor league player of the year during a pregame ceremony. ... Astros closer Mark Melancon has 10 consecutive scoreless appearances.

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