Rodriguez wins, Feliz homers in Houston’s 5-2 win over Pittsburgh

Pitcher injured in Astros’ 5-2 win over Pirates

HOUSTON — Wandy Rodriguez struck out seven to earn his first win, and the Houston Astros beat Pittsburgh 5-2 on Saturday in a game that began with Pirates’ starter Chris Jakubauskas getting hit in the head by Lance Berkman’s line drive.

Jakubauskas (0-1), who was called up from the minors on Friday, was making his first start of the season. Berkman drove a 1-0 pitch straight back to the mound in the first inning, and the ball hit Jakubauskas just behind his right ear.

Medical staffs from both teams ran to the mound as Jakubauskas stayed down. Berkman also ran over to check on the pitcher, along with the Pirates infielders.

Jakubauskas was taken off the field on a medical cart. He gave a thumbs up to the crowd, who offered a standing ovation. He was rushed to a Houston hospital, and was being kept overnight for observation.

Hunter Pence and Pedro Feliz drove in two runs apiece for the Astros, who’ve won seven of nine since an 0-8 start. Rodriguez (1-2) allowed five hits and one earned run in 7 1-3 innings, finally getting offensive support after Houston failed to score in his first 18 innings this season.

Right-hander D.J. Carrasco replaced Jakubauskas, and Pence promptly hit a two-run double down the left-field line. Michael Bourn singled before Berkman’s shot, so Jakubauskas was charged with the runs.

Ronny Cedeno reached on Feliz’s error in the third inning, and eventually scored on Andrew McCutchen’s single, making it 2-1.

Humberto Quintero hit a bases-loaded single in the fourth, but McCutchen threw from center field to home in time for Jason Jaramillo to tag out Cory Sullivan.

Left-hander Jack Taschner relieved for the Houston half of the fifth and Jeff Keppinger led off with a double. Feliz hit the next pitch off the facade in left-center, his first homer and Houston’s sixth of the season for a 5-1 lead.

Jaramillo hit a solo shot with two outs in the seventh, his first of the season. Rodriguez retired 12 in a row before that and had six strikeouts threw six innings.

Pence caused another scary moment in the seventh, when he accidentally threw his bat into the seats after a swinging strike. A fan was in the chest.

Brandon Lyon replaced Rodriguez in the eighth, after Rodriguez threw 96 pitches. Matt Lindstrom shut out the Pirates in the ninth to earn his sixth save in six chances this season.

The Pirates have lost five in a row, and dropped to 0-9 when they’re held to three runs or fewer. The Astros have won five of the last six games Rodriguez has started against the Pirates.

NOTES: Astros ace Roy Oswalt returned to Mississippi after a tornado damaged his parents’ home. Oswalt grew up in Weir, Miss. A deadly tornado ripped through the state Saturday, splintering homes and tearing the roofs off businesses. Houston general manager Ed Wade says he expects Oswalt to rejoin the team by Tuesday. He’s due to make his next start next Thursday. … Jakubauskas was the seventh starter for the Pirates this season. The last time Pittsburgh used seven different starting pitchers in its first 17 games was 2001, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. … Pirates RHP Ross Ohlendorf threw 22 pitches in a bullpen session before the game. Ohlendorf has been on the disabled list since April 12 with back spasms.