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Brewers-Astros Preview

Aug 9, 2009 - 4:44 AM By DAN PIERINGER STATS Writer

Milwaukee (54-55) at Houston (54-55), 2:05 p.m. EDT

Ryan Braun's success since the All-Star break hasn't been enough to get the Milwaukee Brewers back in the mix at the top of the NL Central. More performances like their last one, however, would likely help them cut into the deficit pretty quickly.

The Brewers look to build on their best offensive showing of the second half Sunday and complete a winning nine-game road trip when they meet the division rival Houston Astros.

Braun is batting .356 with six homers, 21 RBIs and 16 runs scored in 21 games since the break. But his hot hitting hasn't translated to success for Milwaukee, which has gone 10-12 in the second half to fall five games back of the division lead.

While Braun hasn't been able to carry the Brewers by himself, the club could likely make up ground in the race quickly if its All-Star outfielder gets consistent help from his teammates. All eight starting position players had at least one hit in a 12-5 win over Houston on Saturday night as Milwaukee improved to 4-4 on the trip.

Braun had two hits and two RBIs, and Prince Fielder and Mike Rivera drove in three runs apiece as the Brewers recorded their highest run total since a 14-12 victory at Cleveland on June 15. They were 7 for 20 (.350) with runners in scoring position.

"We had some key hits," manager Ken Macha said. "We got some big hits with guys on."

Braun, who has nine RBIs over his last five games, is batting .353 (12 for 34) with six RBIs and five runs scored in eight games against the Astros this season, all in Houston.

However, the Astros (54-56) have to feel confident with Wandy Rodriguez (10-6, 2.63 ERA) taking the mound for the series finale. They're 14-8 in games started by the left-hander this year and he hasn't lost since June 16.

Rodriguez left his start last Saturday after four innings because of a strained right hamstring. Rodriguez, the NL pitcher of the month after going 4-0 with a 0.75 ERA in five July starts, didn't report any problems with his leg following a bullpen session Friday.

"I felt great today," he told the Astros' official Web site. "I threw 30 or 35 pitches, and I feel great and I'm ready for Sunday."

Including last weekend's abbreviated outing, Rodriguez has held opponents to one or no runs in each of his last six starts. He's 4-5 with a 4.22 ERA in 13 games against the Brewers, including 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA in five games - four starts - at Minute Maid Park.

Though the Brewers are near the bottom of the majors with a .246 average against left-handers, Braun ranks among league leaders with a .398 average against them. He's 3 for 11 (.273) with a home run, a double and two strikeouts in his career against Rodriguez.

The Brewers will hand the ball to Yovani Gallardo (10-8, 3.59). The right-hander was tagged for a season-high nine runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 17-4 road loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. He had a 1.88 ERA while winning his previous two starts.

Gallardo is 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA in four career games against the Astros. Houston left fielder Carlos Lee, who hit his 300th home run Saturday, is 4 for 12 with a homer against Gallardo.