Astros 8, Indians 7, 10 innings

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -- Morgan Ensberg could stay in the second slot in Houston's lineup this season, especially if he has more games like the one he had Tuesday.

Ensberg homered to help the Astros beat the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in 10 innings Tuesday. Last season, Ensberg hit .364 with a .483 on-base percentage when batting second.

"I'll take a look at that," Houston manager Phil Garner said. "That's why I had him up there today."

Adam Everett drove in two runs and Lance Berkman went 2-for-4 for the Astros, who finished with 11 hits. Ensberg finished 1-for-3.

Ensberg has always shown good plate patience, evidenced by his career .382 on-base percentage, compared to a .270 average. That patience would be crucial with sluggers Berkman and Carlos Lee up next.

Right-hander Chris Sampson, in the mix for Houston's final rotation spot, allowed one run and three hits in five innings. After allowing the first two batters to reach base, Sampson settled down, retiring the next ten batters he faced.

Sampson now has a 5.62 ERA this spring, but that number is inflated by a March 22 start against Washington, when he allowed six earned runs in 2 1-3 innings.

"My performance over the spring has been good," Sampson said. "I've had some real bad games, had a slow start, but I've picked it up."

Sampson is in competition with Matt Albers, Fernando Nieve and Brian Moehler for the fifth spot in the rotation. Garner has yet to make a decision.

Paul Byrd, Cleveland's No. 4 starter, pitched 5 2-3 innings, allowing four earned runs and seven hits. Casey Blake and Luis Rivas homered for the Indians.

Game notes
Cleveland RHP Matt Miller will miss three to four weeks due to a muscle strain in his right forearm. The injury isn't believed to be related to the elbow injury that kept him out of much of the past two seasons. ... Moehler and Nieve will start the next two games for Houston. ... Reserve catcher Humberto Quintero smacked a game-winning, three-run double to center field in the bottom of the 10th inning.