DENVER (AP) – Roger Clemens left with a lead. For the third time this season, the Houston Astros failed to hold it.

After Clemens allowed just four hits in seven innings, Garrett Atkins hit a grand slam in the eighth off Russ Springer that led the Colorado Rockies to a 6-5 victory Tuesday night.

Morgan Ensberg had a grand slam and five RBIs to back Clemens, who leads the major leagues with a 1.50 ERA but is just 6-3. Clemens allowed a fourth-inning homer to Preston Wilson – the first run off the Rocket on the road in 49 1-3 innings since Sept. 14 at St. Louis.

Houston’s Craig Biggio was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning against Jason Jennings, tying Don Baylor’s post-1900 major league record of 267 times getting hit. Biggio has been hit 11 times this season – his 10th time in double digits in 12 seasons.

Clemens struck out seven, walked two and left after 107 pitches with a 5-1 lead.

Danny Ardoin singled off Chad Qualls leading off the eighth, and Cory Sullivan singled with one out. John Franco relieved and got pinch-hitter Luis Gonzalez to ground into a forceout, but Todd Helton followed with an RBI single.

Russ Springer (1-3) came in and walked Wilson on a 3-2 pitch, loading the bases. After falling behind 1-2, Atkins homered into the center-field seats for his first career slam.

David Cortes (1-0) worked a scoreless eighth, and Brian Fuentes finished for his ninth save in 11 chances.

Ensberg hit a sacrifice fly in the first and homered in the fifth off Jennings. He has nine homers and 25 RBIs in his last 22 games.

Notes: RHP Mike DeJean threw a bullpen session and will make the trip to St. Louis with the Rockies. … Rockies pitchers lead the NL with 49 hit batters.

AP-ES-06-29-05 0016EDT

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