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Friday, Apr. 14 10:05pm ET
Bagwell continues grand act at Qualcomm | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- There's nothing like Qualcomm Stadium to lift Jeff Bagwell from his funk. Bagwell, off to a sluggish start, hit a grand slam to highlight a six-run sixth inning in the Houston Astros' 10-4 victory Friday night over the San Diego Padres. It was Bagwell's 15th career home run at Qualcomm Stadium, more than at any other visiting park. "It's nice to get that one," said Bagwell, who entered the game hitting .250 with one homer. "Hitting is tough, it's a lot of work. This is my 10th year and it's still hard." The homer came off Padres reliever Kevin Walker, who made his major league debut. Entering the game in the sixth with runners on first and second, Walker loaded the bases with a walk to Roger Cedeno. "He probably took one look at my swing and walked Roger on purpose," Bagwell joked. Bagwell then lined a 2-2 fastball over the right-field wall to cap the six-run sixth and give Houston a 9-3 lead. Bagwell raised his career batting average at Qualcomm to .337 with 43 RBI. Shane Reynolds (2-0) was not at his sharpest as he allowed three runs and 10 hits in five innings. But the right-hander was able to pitch out of trouble and also hit a solo homer. "He threw a lot of pitches right down the middle," Houston manager Larry Dierker said. "That's not typical of him." Reynolds was more successful with his bat as he homered off Brian Boehringer (0-2) leading off the fifth inning to tie the game. Boehringer pitched five-plus innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. Houston then took control in the sixth. Moises Alou led off with a single, knocking Boehringer from the game. Billy Spiers followed with an RBI double off Will Cunnane and Tony Eusebio had an RBI single. After a two-out walk to Craig Biggio, Walker entered the game. "It was to be expected he'd be a little nervous," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's a tough job facing Bagwell with the bases loaded." Walker, who was recalled Thursday from Double A Mobile, admitted he was nervous facing Bagwell. "You know it's something a lot of guys go through up here," said Walker, 23. "I left one out over the plate and he hit it." Boehringer gave the Padres a 3-2 lead in the fourth with a two-run double over the head of Alou in right field. The Astros went ahead 2-1 in the second on Alou's home run and a sacrifice fly by Tim Bogar. Game notesAlou left the game in the sixth inning with a tight left calf. ... The Padres continue to play without injured OFs Tony Gwynn (sore knee) and Ruben Rivera (wrist). Gwynn missed his fourth straight game after having his left knee drained Monday. Rivera has not started the last five games. ... Astros 3B Ken Caminiti (strained left hamstring) sat out his fourth straight start, although he might be ready to play Saturday. ... Reynolds has won 10 of 15 career starts vs. San Diego. ... Boehringer collected his first major-league RBI in his 26th career at-bat over five seasons. ... Houston's Matt Mieske (lower back strain) was activated from the 15-day DL. ... RHP Scott Elarton is scheduled to make his first start of the season for Houston on Tuesday at Los Angeles. Elarton, who began the season on the DL as he recovered from offseason rotator cuff surgery. | ALSO SEE Baseball Scoreboard Houston Clubhouse San Diego Clubhouse RECAPS Texas 7 Cleveland 2
Houston 10
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