State Journal wires
HOUSTON — Manny Parra pitched well enough to get his first victory in four decisions this season, but he got little offensive support.

Ivan Rodriguez hit a tiebreaking homer in the fourth inning, and the Houston Astros snapped the Milwaukee Brewers’ four-game winning streak with a 3-2 victory Sunday.

Milwaukee manager Ken Macha was pleased with what he saw from Parra.

“I thought Parra used his changeup a lot today,” Macha said. “That’s good. He kept hitters off-balance. It came down to walking a pitcher, and that cost you. The only problem was five innings and close to 100 pitches.”

Parra walked opposing pitcher Russ Ortiz with one out and nobody on in the bottom of the third with the Brewers leading 1-0. Michael Bourn singled Ortiz to second, and Parra struck out Jeff Keppinger.

Lance Berkman then hit a liner behind second that Rickie Weeks got a glove on, but couldn’t hold. Ortiz scored on the error, with Bourn racing to third. Carlos Lee drove in Bourn with a single to left.

“I missed it,” Weeks said. “It hit my glove. It was slicing a little bit. I was probably shielded (by the umpire), but I should have kept coming. I was just late.”

Jose Valverde pitched the ninth for his second save in four opportunities. He struck out Ryan Braun looking and got Prince Fielder to ground out for the final two outs after Weeks walked and was sacrificed to second by Craig Counsell.

Mike Cameron doubled twice for the Brewers, driving home Prince Fielder n the second and scoring on Jason Kendall’s single in the fourth.

Milwaukee, trying for its first sweep of the season, finished its nine-game trip with a 5-4 record.

“Overall, I thought we had a really good road trip,” Milwaukee manager Ken Macha said. “After losing two of three at Philadelphia, where this team has historically struggled, it was good to get over .500. The team played really well at home last year, but we had a tough one (homestand) to start the season this year. It will be nice to go home.”