Astros Outlast Rockies In 12th

May 25, 1999 / 9:29 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Houston's Carl Everett didn't find out he had the winning hit until the game was over.

Everett singled under third baseman Lenny Harris' glove with one out in the 12th inning Tuesday night, giving the Astros a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

The play was originally scored as an error on Harris, but a few minutes after the game ended, official scorer Rick Blount changed the call to a hit.

"Sometimes you catch a break. Hit or error, the result's the same," Everett said. "The only thing that changed was the game's been over but my (batting) average just went up."

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With the bases loaded and one out, Everett hit a potential double-play grounder to the drawn-in Harris, who tied a Colorado record with three errors Monday night. The ball went under Harris' glove and into left field, scoring Bill Spiers with the winning run.

"I don't think he (Harris) would have had time to turn two," Spiers said. "With two outs I was going and although it was behind me I don't think the ball was hit hard enough to double up Carl."

Everett agreed.

"No way they get two," Everett said. "He was moving toward second and he would have had to turn and throw to the plate and then go to the first. There's no way he would have had enough time."

Harris made no excuses.

"I was trying to get the runner at the plate. He didn't hit it hard but it took a curve to my left," he said. "I should have made the play at home if I come up with the ball."

Craig Biggio drew a leadoff walk from Mike DeJean (0-2) in the 12th and stole second on a close play. Colorado manager Jim Leyland came out to argue and was ejected by second-base umpire Jerry Layne.

"No comment," Leyland said when asked about his discussion with Layne. "I don't talk about the umpires."

Spiers bunted and the ball was fielded by DeJean, whose throw to third was too late to get Biggio.

Jeff Bagwell was intentionally walked, loading the bases. Derek Bell grounded back to the mound and Biggio was forced at the plate, bringing up Everet.

Scott Elarton (3-1) pitched a scoreless inning for the victory.

"Hampton was outstanding and the bullpen did a great job holding a very good-hitting team down," Houston manager Larry Dierker said. "In the end we won it because we got a little lucky."

The Astros tied it at 1 in the eighth on Everett's RBI double off reliever Curtis Leskanic. Bagwell walked with one out and after Bell struck out, Everett followed with a double.

Rockies starter Darryl Kile pitched seven shutout innings. Mike Hampton allowed one run and five hits before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the ninth.

The Rockies took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI single by Vinny Castilla.

Notes:

The three errors Harris made Monday night were at second base.

Colorado first baseman Todd Helton, who went 0-for-4, is hitting .413 at home and .181 on the road.

Houston shortstop Tim Bogar was a late scratch from Tuesday's lineup because of a tender left hamstring. He is day-to-day.

Houston hitting coach Tom McCraw will begin radiation treatment for prostate cancer in Loma Linda, Calif., later this week.

Astros third baseman Jack Howell left the game in the third inning due with a pulled groin. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list after the game. The Astros recalled infielder Carlos Hernandez from Triple-A New Orleans.