Jeff Keppinger drove in three with a bases-loaded double and Lance Berkman hit a two-run homer during a five-run fourth inning, leading the Houston Astros to a 9-6 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.

The last-place Astros have won the first two games of the series against the first-place Cardinals and will go for the sweep Thursday.

The Astros pounded starter Kyle Lohse (0-3) for nine runs on 10 hits, though only four of the runs were earned. They chased the right-hander before he could record an out in the sixth.

Berkman's homer, his fourth of the season and his second in two nights, was his only official at-bat as he also drew four walks. Keppinger, Michael Bourn and Pedro Feliz had two hits apiece for Houston.

Wandy Rodriguez (2-4) cruised through five innings, but the Cardinals scored four runs against him in the sixth.

St. Louis brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but after allowing a two-out RBI double to Albert Pujols, closer Matt Lindstrom got Matt Holliday to line out to right for his eighth save in eight chances.

Ryan Ludwick finished with three hits for the Cardinals, who have lost six of eight in watching their lead over Cincinnati in the NL Central dwindle to one game.