McCann, Braves bust Astros

After totaling five or fewer hits in their past four games, the Braves banged out 10 in two innings against Oswalt, including a home run by Nate McLouth on the second pitch of the game.

“It was good to finally contribute offensively,” said catcher Brian McCann, who snapped an 0-for-20 skid with four hits and two RBIs to help the Braves salvage a series win after blowing a ninth-inning lead in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss.

McCann hit .109 with five hits over his previous 12 games, and the Braves batted .172 during a 1-6 slide that dropped them to fifth in the wild-card race, 8-1/2 games behind leader Colorado.

“We did a lot of hitting tonight,” said manager Bobby Cox, whose Braves had one fewer run in the first two innings than in the previous five games combined. “Everyone chipped in, and [Derek] Lowe got the win. It wasn’t easy, but he did it. ...

“Glad to get out of here with two [wins]. It should have been three.”

Lowe (14-9) was again the beneficiary of robust run support, the only Braves pitcher to get any on a regular basis. He gave up five runs and nine hits in 5-2/3 innings and left with a 9-5 lead.

He has more wins than teammates Jair Jurrjens (10-10) and Javier Vazquez (12-9), although his 4.47 ERA is about 50-percent higher than theirs.

“This game’s not fair sometimes,” Lowe said. “With the way Tommy [Hanson] pitched last night to get no decision, and I go out and struggle for five and change. ...”

In each of his past two wins, the Braves scored nine runs while Lowe was in. He said it wasn’t hard to stay focused with the big lead, because he has been off his game too frequently this season to take anything for granted.

“It’s been a struggle for me, I’d say for about 90 percent of the year,” he said. “It’s been a long season. You just try to finish strong.”

Rafael Soriano gave up two runs and three hits in the ninth during Wednesday’s loss, spoiling eight scoreless innings by Hanson. Soriano also allowed a run and three hits in the ninth in Tuesday’s 2-1 win.

On Thursday, Cox turned to Mike Gonzalez in the ninth. The lefty allowed a walk and a single before inducing a game-ending double-play grounder by Miguel Tejada, who had a game-ending two-run single off Soriano on Wednesday.

If the Braves could have sprinkled some Thursday’s runs across the past week, they might still be a serious playoff contender. Instead, they are 8-1/2 behind Colorado with 22 games to play.

During their 1-6 death march, they lost five games by two runs or fewer.

Oswalt (8-6) left his previous start with back pain. He got pounded like a journeyman Thursday and left without speaking to reporters.

He was charged with 10 hits and six runs in two innings, one of the worst starts ever. He’s 0-3 with a 7.58 ERA in seven regular-season starts against the Braves, the only team he has faced more than twice without a win.

McLouth’s power surge

McLouth has three homers in 20 at-bats since returning from the disabled list on Friday. He has hit six first-inning leadoff homers in his career, including three this season and two since being traded to the Braves on June 3.

Two errors for Chipper

The Astros scored two runs in the eighth, one unearned on Chipper Jones’ second throwing error of the game. He leads major-league third basemen with 20 errors, after making 13 in 2008 and nine in 2007.

Upon further review. ...

Astros first baseman Lance Berkman snapped a career-long 32-game homerless drought with his three-run homer in the third inning off Lowe. The home run was reviewed on replay by the umpires at Cox’s request. The call was upheld.