Benes Helps Himself With Homer in Win

Andy Benes beat the Houston Astros with his arm and his bat, hitting a solo homer and pitching six strong innings Thursday night to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 2-1 victory.

“I’m just happy I hit one when we won,” he said. “When I hit one last year in San Diego, [Steve] Finley hit a slam in the bottom of the ninth to beat us.”

The Diamondbacks have won three in a row, their longest winning streak since they won four in a row June 13-16. Houston has lost three in a row after an eight-game winning streak.

Benes (6-9) gave up one run and six hits in six innings, striking out six. He also homered leading off the third against Jose Lima (13-5).

“I’ve only hit six in 10 years so I don’t have the right to pound my chest,” he said.

The Astros stranded 12 runners, leaving the bases loaded in the first, fourth and seventh innings. Matt Mantei pitched the ninth for his 14th save and fourth since being traded to Arizona.