Boone Has 6 RBIs in Padre Win

Bret Boone hit a grand slam and tied his career high with six runs batted in, and Ruben Rivera also homered Saturday night as the San Diego Padres defeated the Houston Astros, 13-3, to end their five-game losing streak.

A night after beating the Padres, 7-6, the Astros reverted to the form they’ve shown in dropping to 22-39, the worst record in the majors. Starter Scott Elarton gave up nine runs in 1 1/3 innings, the shortest outing of his career, and the Astros issued three bases-loaded walks.

Things got so bad for Houston that infielder Tim Bogar pitched the eighth inning--and he was the only Astro pitcher to record a 1-2-3 inning. Bogar, making his first major league appearance, pitched four times in the minors.

Rivera and Phil Nevin each drove in three runs, and Eric Owens matched his career high with four hits, all singles. The 13 runs matched the Padres’ season high, set April 16 against the Astros.

Boone hit the second grand slam of his career to right-center field on a 3-and-2 pitch from Elarton (4-2) to highlight the five-run first. His eighth homer of the season came after Elarton walked Rivera with the bases loaded.