WASHINGTON – Hunter Pence homered and drove in three runs to help the Houston Astros beat the Washington Nationals 6-4 on Saturday night.

Lance Berkman added two RBIs and Carlos Lee had three hits for Houston, which has won just three of its last 11 games.

Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez (4-3), who had only one victory in his previous six starts, allowed four runs and eight hits over 5 1-3 innings to earn the win. He walked one and struck out one. Jose Valverde worked the ninth for his 24th save in 29 tries.

Washington rookie Collin Balester (1-2) gave up six run – four earned – and 11 hits in 4 2-3 innings.

Willie Harris homered for Washington, which has lost nine of 12 games. The Nationals hit into four double plays, matching a season high.