Pence's Walk Off Hit Allows 'Stros To Avoid Sweep

HOUSTON -- Hunter Pence hit a tiebreaking double in the ninth inning and theHouston Astros avoided a series sweep with a 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.

Mike Leake (3-2) walked J.R. Towles with one out in the ninth before Pence's full-count hit landed in the corner of right field and sent Towles home.

The Astros led 3-1 before the Reds tied it with consecutive homers by Chris Heisey and Drew Stubbs in the seventh inning.

Michael Bourn gave the Astros an early lead with a two-run single in the second inning.

Wandy Rodriguez tied a season high by allowing 10 hits and gave up three runs with four strikeouts in seven innings. He was replaced by Wilton Lopez, who pitched a perfect eighth before Mark Melancon (3-1) in the ninth.