Final Score: New York 7, Houston 4

Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Pedro Astacio returned from a shoulder injury and pitched six solid innings to lead the New York Mets to a 7-4 win over the Houston Astros in the rubber contest of a three-game series at Shea Stadium.

Astacio (1-0), who was activated off the disabled list after Wednesday's 4-2 victory over Houston, picked up the win in his season debut. He gave up just two runs and four hits while striking out four. Armando Benitez came on to record the final out for his seventh save of the season.

Roberto Alomar went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a pair of RBI for the Mets, who have won two straight and five of their last seven games. Raul Gonzalez and Timo Perez each added two hits in the win.

Craig Biggio scored twice for the Astros, who lost the final two games of the series and have dropped four of their last five overall. Lance Berkman and Jeff Kent each homered in the loss for Houston, which dropped below .500 (10-11) for the first time this season.

Wade Miller remained winless on the season after surrendering five runs in three-plus innings. Miller (0-2) gave up six hits and walked four to absorb the loss.

Astacio struggled early on and hit Biggio to start the game. Geoff Blum then sent Biggio to third when he singled. Astacio was able to escape a big inning when Jeff Bagwell bounced into a double play that brought home Biggio.

The Mets quickly answered in the bottom of the frame. Alomar walked to start the inning and moved to second on Jay Bell's single. Cliff Floyd then flied out to left and Alomar advanced to third. Mo Vaughn grounded to second base, but the Astros were unable to turn the easy double play because they were playing their shortstop to the second base side of the bag.

New York scored one more in the second to take a 2-1 lead. Alomar's RBI double to left brought home Vance Wilson, who singled to lead off the frame.

The Mets broke open the game with four runs in the fourth. Astacio started the rally with an infield single. Miller, who struggled with his control throughout, then walked Alomar and Bell before giving way to Bruce Chen.

Floyd plated the first run of the inning with a sac fly to center off Chen. Vaughn then knocked an RBI groundout and Gonzalez brought home Bell with a bunt single. Gonzalez came around to score on Perez's double to deep right to make it 6-1.

Alomar continued to cause the Astros problems, this time doubling home Joe McEwing, who led off the fifth with a single. Alomar reached base safely the first four times he came to the plate.

Biggio singled in the sixth and moved to second on Blum's grounder to first. Bagwell then singled home Biggio to make it 7-2.

Berkman and Kent hit back-to-back home runs in the ninth for the final margin.

Game Notes

Mets catcher Mike Piazza was pulled from the starting lineup because of a sore groin. He was replaced by Wilson...The Astros placed pitcher Brian Moehler on the 15-day disabled list prior to the game with discomfort in his right elbow...Astacio was activated from the DL after being placed on the list toward the end of spring training with right shoulder tendinitis...Houston lost for the ninth time in 12 games...The Astros hit back-to-back homers for the third time this season.

04/24 22:28:20 ET