But in the ninth, the Astros went ahead for good when Anibal Sierra drew a bases-loaded walk off Tom Gorzelanny and extended their lead on a Tony Kemp two-run single.
Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who could lead off this season in games that Jose Reyes does not start, opened the bottom of the first inning with a home run. That was the only run that Astros starter Joe Musgrove allowed in two innings, striking out one batter and allowing three hits.
"Not my best," Musgrove said. "I had a game plan going in and didn't execute very well.