Lance Berkman had 16 hits over 20 at-bats for an .800 batting average in that span and 18-for-24 (.750) in the previous 24 at-bats heading into Saturday night.

With his double to right field in the second inning Saturday, Berkman was 19-for-25 to join the St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols as the only men in 50 years to go on a streak in which they collected 19 hits in 25 at-bats. Pujols did it from May 30-June 7, 2003.

According to Trent McCotter of the Society for American Baseball Research, since 1957 Berkman and only three other players had gone on a 16-for-20 stretch. The others were Andres Galarraga of the Montreal Expos from June 30 to July 5, 1988; Ellis Burks of the Colorado Rockies from Sept. 9-Sept. 14, 1996 (and also Sept 10-Sept 15); and Todd Walker of the Minnesota Twins from July 21-July 28, 1998.

"Every day it's something," manager Cecil Cooper said of Berkman. "For the last 10 days it's been something happening to him. It's just been incredible. I don't know how to explain it. I was never in a streak like that. Never, ever."

By setting the franchise record with 18 hits over his last five games heading into Saturday night, Berkman broke the franchise record for a five-game span.

That mark belonged to Derek Bell (August 1999) and Julio Lugo (September 2000), who had 17 in a five-game stretch, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

"He's just in one of those grooves where if you throw it anywhere near the dish his barrel is on it," Cooper said.

By drawing an intentional walk in the first inning, Berkman had reached base in 22 of his 26 plate appearances since May 4 and 24 of his 30 plate appearances since May 3.

ASTROS 8, DODGERS 5: After being no-hit through 6 2/3 innings, the Astros' offense broke through and flexed its muscle late. The Astros won because they had a six-run rally in the eighth inning after breaking up the no-hitter and scoring a run in the seventh.

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