Astros' Sampson takes a star turn

HOUSTON -- While Roger Clemens gets ready to return, the Houston Astros have found someone else to give their pitching rotation a boost.

Chris Sampson tossed seven innings of three-hit ball in his first major league start yesterday, leading the Houston Astros over the Chicago Cubs, 1-0.

``I always expect myself to go out there and compete, succeed and work hard for my teammates," said Sampson, a native of nearby Pasadena, Texas. ``I kept that same approach, just like I do every other start, in the minor leagues."

Sampson set down the first 11 batters he faced, 10 on ground outs. He walked Michael Barrett with two outs in the fourth, but got Todd Walker to fly out.

Dan Wheeler worked a hitless eighth and Brad Lidge pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save.

Clemens is due to make his return start at Minute Maid Park June 22, but manager Phil Garner likes what he's seen lately from his staff without the Rocket. On Tuesday night, three pitchers scattered seven hits in a 4-1 victory.

``One of our biggest problems is we've not been able to establish that flow in a game," Garner said. ``The last couple nights, that's more the flow we like to see."

Sampson was called up from Triple A Round Rock June 2 and made his major league debut later that day, allowing six hits and three runs in 5 1/3 innings of relief against the Cincinnati Reds.

With Roy Oswalt nursing a sore back, the Astros went to Sampson, who was 7-1 with a 2.79 ERA in 10 starts this season with Round Rock.

Sampson (1-0) said he had about 100 friends and family in the stands and he did not disappoint, outdueling Cubs rookie starter Sean Marshall (3-4).

Of the 21 batters Sampson retired, 16 grounded out. He didn't have any strikeouts, but assisted on six putouts.

``He was very much in control, very composed," catcher Brad Ausmus said. ``He seems to be the type of guy who enjoys the energy of being on the mound."

Ausmus, batting .321 since April 13, led off the third with a long homer off Marshall that bounced off the brick facade in left field, his first. Outside of that mistake, Marshall was just as sharp as Sampson, striking out Morgan Ensberg and Preston Wilson to end the fourth.