Houston, TX – Chris Johnson hit two home runs and knocked in a career-high six RBI as the Houston Astros defeated the New York Mets, 8-1, to complete the sweep of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park.
"This is probably my best day in the major leagues so far. This is something I'll never forget," said Johnson.
Wandy Rodriguez (3-2) allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out five over seven innings for Houston, which took all three games of a series against New York for the first time since August 1-3, 2008.
Chris Schwinden (0-1) gave up five runs on six hits and two walks in just four innings to suffer the loss.
Ruben Tejada had three of New York's seven hits, while Andres Torres knocked in the lone run for the Mets, who lost for the fourth time in six games.
Houston struck first in the second inning when Johnson followed back-to-back singles by Jed Lowrie and Brian Bogusevic with a shot over the left-field wall for a 3-0 Astros lead.
Johnson's second home run of the year, and the game, came in the third inning on a two-run blast to left-center field, giving Houston a five-run advantage.
New York got on the board in the fourth inning when David Wright led off the frame with a walk, stole second and came home on Torres' two-out base hit through the right side of the infield.
But the Astros pulled away for good in the fifth off reliever Manny Acosta. After a pair of one-out singles by Carlos Lee and Lowrie placed runners on the corners, Bogusevic pulled a double down the right-field line to score Lee.
Johnson's base hit to left then plated Lowrie before Jason Castro lined a single to right to bring home Bogusevic and give the Astros an 8-1 lead.
The Mets were shut down from there, stranding a runner on third in the sixth and eighth innings as the Astros rolled to their fifth win in seven games.
"They played great, they pitched great and it's tough to hit when you are behind so far. But that's a credit to the way they pitched," Mets manager Terry Collins said about the Astros.
Game Notes
The Astros' Jordan Schafer had two walks and has now reached base safely in 24 straight games, but left in the top of the fifth inning with lower back tightness on his left side...Wright extended his hit streak to nine games. He has reached base safely in 21 of his 22 games this season...Tejada hit two doubles, giving him 10 on the year...It was Houston's first series sweep of the season.
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