Astros Defeat Cardinals 5-2 in NLCS Game 3

HOUSTON (AP) -- Roger Clemens pitched seven sharp innings and the Houston Astros hit three home runs to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 in Game 3 of the NL championship series Saturday.<br> <br> Larry Walker put the Cardinals on the scoreboard first with a solo home run off Clemens in the opening inning.<br> <br> Houston came back with three runs off St. Louis starter Jeff Suppan to regain the lead in the bottom of the frame. Lance Berkman started the scoring with an RBI single to center field that scored Carlos Beltran. who had walked and advanced to second on a double play. Jeff Kent followed with a two-run homer to left field.<br> <br> The Cardinals tightened the game in the second inning when Jim Edmonds hit a solo shot to right center field off Clemens. <br> <br> Houston got some breathing room in the eighth inning when Beltran parked a pitch from Danny Haren, who relieved Suppan in the seventh, in the left field seats. After Jeff Bagwell popped out and a pitching change, Berkman drove Ray King&#39;s first pitch over the left field wall to make the score 5-2.<br> <br> Clemens, who allowed four hits and two runs while striking out seven batters over seven innings, said before the game that he would do whatever he could to keep St. Louis from letting their 2-0 series lead make them feel comfortable at the plate.<br> <br> The Astros got their first NLCS win after being beaten up by a powerful lineup that includes Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Edmonds and Walker.<br> <br> Ailing St. Louis reliever Steve Kline was unavailable for Game 3 but manager Tony La Russa hopes the left-hander will pitch later this postseason. <br> <br> Kline aggravated a torn tendon in the index finger of his throwing hand Thursday night in Game 2. He went to Indianapolis on Friday to see a specialist.<br> <br> The most specific update La Russa gave was that Kline was &#34;improved from two days ago.&#34;<br> <br> &#34;(I&#39;m) optimistic that he would be available in this series sometime,&#34; La Russa said.<br> <br> Kline, one of only two lefties on the Cardinals&#39; staff, missed most of the last month of the regular season because of the finger injury and a groin problem. He left in the sixth inning of Game 2 after allowing consecutive singles, with his finger sore and swollen.<br> <br> &#34;Fortunately we&#39;ve got several right-handers that are good against left-handed hitters,&#34; La Russa said. &#34;The Astros are not a real predominant left-handed club. They don&#39;t have any - couple switch-hitters, two pinch-hitters. So it&#39;s not the kind of club or series where having two left-handers in the bullpen is a big plus for us.&#34;