Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Lance Berkman flared a game-winning, two-run single down the left-field line in the last of the ninth to give Houston an 8-7 triumph over Washington after themselves blowing a ninth-inning lead.
After Astros closer Matt Lindstrom blew a 6-5 lead in the top half of the ninth, Nationals closer Matt Capps (0-2) came on to protect a newly-acquired 7-6 edge.
A Ryan Zimmerman error opened the door for Houston to load the bases with one out. Cory Sullivan cracked a pinch-hit double to deep left-center and Michael Bourn was intentionally walked to fill the sacks.
Jeff Keppinger broke his bat on a soft bouncer to second and Cristian Guzman's throw beat Pedro Feliz home for the second out. But Berkman ended it with a poke to shallow left off the end of his bat on a 2-2 count.
The back-and-forth ending made a winner out of Wilton Lopez (2-0), who effectively relieved Lindstrom with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the ninth.