MLB: Washington 8, Houston 3

HOUSTON, May 8 (UPI) -- Home runs by Willie Harris and Rob Mackowiak Thursday helped carry the Washington Nationals to an 8-3 win over Houston.

The Astros had an eight-game home winning streak snapped.

John Lannan (3-3) allowed a run on seven hits over six innings to get the victory. He walked one and struck out three.

The loss went to Brandon Backe (2-4), who coughed up four runs on six hits in six innings.

Harris hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot in the third that gave the Nationals a 2-0 lead. Austin Kearns had a two-run single that made it 4-1 in the sixth and Mackowiak contributed a two-run blast as part of a three-run eighth.