The Astros scored twice in the ninth to further tighten the race in the National League Central. The Cardinals had their division lead reduced to a half game over the Chicago Cubs, who recorded a 10-5 win over Philadelphia earlier in the day.
Houston is only one game behind the Cardinals and Milwaukee, despite losing Wednesday, is only 2 1/2 games off the lead.
Houston managed eight hits in eight innings against starter Chris Carpenter, but still faced a 3-2 deficit.
Ryan Franklin (2-1) was called on to nail down the victory, but he gave up a lead-off single to Ivan Rodriguez in the ninth and Chris Coste doubled Rodriguez home to forge a tie.
Keppinger came on to pinch-hit for Jose Valverde and singled, sending Coste to third. After Michael Bourn flew out to shallow left, Kazuo Matsui hit a grounder to second. Coste tried to score the winning run on the grounder, but was thrown out at home.
That brought up Tejada, who stroked a 2-2 pitch to left that brought in Keppinger.
Valverde (1-2) got the win after pitching the top of the ninth.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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