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Cubs-Astros Preview

Jun 8, 2009 - 6:49 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Chicago (28-26) at Houston (25-30), 8:05 p.m. EDT

Extra innings have been the norm lately for the Chicago Cubs.

Perhaps with Ted Lilly on the mound, that trend won't need to continue.

The Cubs' most consistent starter all season, Lilly will get the ball Tuesday night when Chicago opens a three-game set against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

A rainout deprived the Cubs (28-26) of one of the first six contests on their nine-game road trip, but they've actually wound up playing more than six full games worth of baseball as four of the last five have gone a total of 12 extra innings.

Chicago split two extra-inning games in Atlanta, then had to go past nine innings during its final two games over the weekend in Cincinnati. The Cubs lost 4-3 in 11 on Saturday but bounced back Sunday, using Alfonso Soriano's homer to lead off the 14th to spark a 6-3 victory after squandering a late two-run lead.

"Give these guys credit - they hung in there," manager Lou Piniella said. "I thought we were going to spend our off-day here in Cincinnati playing."

Soriano's homer was his only hit in six at-bats, and just the second time he'd gone deep since May 17. Chicago's leadoff hitter is batting .162 (12 for 74) with two RBIs and 25 strikeouts in his last 17 games.

"I had a tough three weeks, but I haven't lost confidence," Soriano said. "I am just trying to stay healthy and play hard. I made a good swing and hit the ball hard."

He's hit the ball hard plenty against the Astros (25-30) in 2009, blasting five homers in seven games. Overall, Soriano is batting .348 with nine homers and 16 RBIs in his last 14 games versus Houston.

The Cubs should feel confident with Lilly (6-4, 3.28 ERA) on the mound. Lilly has a team-high eight quality starts, and allowed two runs - one earned - while striking out seven over seven innings Wednesday at Atlanta.

Lilly has won his last five decisions against Houston, including both starts this season. The left-hander is 5-1 with a 3.22 ERA in eight career starts versus the Astros.

Houston sluggers Lance Berkman and Hunter Pence are hitting a combined .128 (5 for 39) against Lilly.

The Astros have won five of seven so far on their 10-game homestand, including two of three against Pittsburgh over the weekend. Five relievers helped overcome an early injury that knocked out Felipe Paulino as Houston won Sunday's series finale 6-4.

"It was a great effort by everybody and a team effort," manager Cecil Cooper told the Astros' official Web site. "They all did a great job, particularly our bullpen."

Brian Moehler (2-3, 6.37) will get the ball for Houston hoping to avoid duplicating his first home start against the Cubs this season. Moehler was chased in the second inning April 8 after allowing eight hits and seven runs in an 11-6 loss.

The right-hander did beat the Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 17, yielding three runs in five innings - including his third career homer to Derrek Lee - in Houston's 6-5 win.

Moehler allowed seven hits and four runs over six innings Wednesday against Colorado, not factoring in the decision in the Astros' 6-4 victory.