As easy as 1-2-3: Eric Gagne got himself out of a bases-loaded, nobody out mess with that double play though it wasn't all his fault. Miguel Tejada put down a perfect bunt, Lance Berkman reached on pitch that never seemed to hit him and Geoff Blum then reached on an error by first baseman Prince Fielder.

It must be the hair: The Astros' series MVP was reliever Chris Sampson, who made three scoreless appearances. He allowed one hit over 2.1 innings, including a scoreless stint in the sixth Wednesday when he retired the only two hitters he faced.

Manufacturing progress: The Brewers, well known for their home run hitting ability, scored their first three runs on two hits. Those who came looking for the big hit had to wait until the seventh when J.J. Hardy uncorked a two-run homer.

... THREE DOWN

Always one inning: Manny Parra has allowed multiple runs in an inning 19 times in 25 starts this season. Parra cruised through three innings against the Astros before giving up two runs in the fourth, the 13th time this season he has allowed two runs in an inning. Parra has allowed 65 earned runs this season, and 45 of those runs have come in those multiple-run innings.

Oops! Never mind: It looked like such a simple putout for catcher Mike Rivera when Mark Lortta popped the ball in front of the plate with two outs in the seventh. Loratta hardly jogged to first, but Rivera dropped the ball. After claiming to home plate umpire Dale Scott he dropped the ball while trying to pull it out of his glove, Rivera had enough presence to throw it to first where second baseman Rickie Weeks was covering for the putout.

The collar: It was worn by Bill Hall, who struck out in each of his four at-bats. The first two came against Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez, a left-hander. Hall is hitless this homestand in nine at-bats and has just eight hits in his last 55 at-bats.