ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Hunter Pence led off the eighth inning

with a tiebreaking homer and the Houston Astros beat the Texas

Rangers 5-3 on Thursday night to avoid a season sweep.

Pence, who grew up in Arlington watching the Rangers play, hit

the first pitch of the inning from Jason Jennings (2-2) over the

center-field wall. Michael Bourn added a two-out RBI triple to make

it 5-3.

After losing five in a row against AL West-leading Texas, the

Astros avoided being swept in a season series of at least six games

for the first time in franchise history.

Alberto Arias (1-0) got the win and Jose Valverde worked the

ninth for his third save in five chances.

By STEPHEN HAWKINS - AP Sports Writer

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)