HOUSTON -- Astros slugger Carlos Lee blasted a three-run homer to left -- his 13th home run of the season -- Monday night off reliever Jose Veras to break a 3-3 tie en route to Houston's 7-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Minute Maid Park.
Lee extended his hitting streak to 10 games and has reached base safely in 10 of his last 11 plate appearances entering Tuesday, hitting .800 (8-for-10) with a home run, three RBI and four doubles over the last three games dating back to Saturday.
The 35-year-old three-time All-Star is hitting .459 (17-for-37) with two homers, six RBI and six doubles over the 10-game stretch to raise his batting average from .260 to .273 on the season.
More impressively, Lee reached base safely in seven straight plate appearances between Saturday and Sunday's games at San Francisco.
He went 5-for-5 with a walk and was hit by a pitch to become the first Astros player to attain this honor since infielder Jeff Keppinger did so in eight consecutive plate appearances last season.
Lee gave the Astros a slight scare in the top of the ninth last Sunday by sliding into second on a double and suffering a sprained right ankle -- an injury that forced him to leave the game, but not serious enough to keep him out of the starting lineup Monday.
He showcased tremendous passion by hustling around first and making it safely into second on a close play, thus setting a foundation and lighting a spark that carried the Astros over the extra-inning affair, which ultimately led to a 4-3 win in 11 innings.
As the veteran mainstay in the lineup, Lee demonstrated his willingness to get injured to help the team, and in return, the Astros stepped up their intensity and delivered a victory to "El Caballo."
"I feel young," Lee said regarding being around rookies and younger ballplayers. "We are playing pretty good right now. The kids in the lineup are doing a great job. We're pitching good. We're working hard together to score runs and try to stay in games."
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