Houston salvaged the final contest of a three-game series and handed Alberto Arias his first victory of the season. Arias (1-0) faced only one batter in getting the third out of the seventh inning.
He was the pitcher of record when Pence hit the first pitch of the eighth inning over the wall in center for his 10th homer of the year. The blast came off Jason Jennings (2-2).
Houston produced another run in the inning on a two-out single by Humberto Quintero and a triple by Michael Bourn.
Jose Valverde worked the ninth for his third save.
Texas took a 3-0 lead through four innings, thanks in part to solo homers by Michael Young and Chris Davis.
Quintero singled in a run in the fifth and Houston tied it with a two-run sixth -- the second run scoring on a passed ball.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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