"Save opportunities were rarer than diamonds this year for the 106-loss Houston Astros. But when Mark Melancon got a chance, he usually delivered.

"He was nails," Astros manager Brad Mills said last night.

The Red Sox were impressed enough that yesterday they traded talented, but oft-injured infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Kyle Weiland to the Astros for Melancon, who won't necessarily replace closer Jonathan Papelbon but surely will pitch in close games when late-inning leads need to be safeguarded.

Melancon, 26, took the reins as Astros closer in May and recorded 20 saves in 25 chances. He was 8-4 on the season with a 2.78 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 742/3 innings spanning 71 appearances. He held opponents to a .234 batting average and finished the season with an 112/3-inning scoreless streak."