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Astros-Brewers Preview

Aug 16, 2009 - 4:10 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Houston (56-60) at Milwaukee (57-58), 2:05 p.m. EDT

Strong play at the plate has helped give Milwaukee some momentum. The Brewers may need another big game from their hitters with Braden Looper set to take the mound.

The Brewers, with a chance to win four straight, hope Looper can end his struggles and avoid a fourth straight loss to the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Milwaukee (58-58) entered this three-game series fresh off a 12-9 win over San Diego on Thursday. The Brewers then beat the Astros 11-2 in the series opener, and 6-2 on Saturday night. They have totaled 27 hits so far in this series

With its lineup looking sharp, Milwaukee has an opportunity to win four straight for the first time since a seven-game run May 12-19. Another strong performance at the plate may be the only way to extend the current streak.

Looper (10-6, 4.99 ERA) has posted a 10.43 ERA in losing his last three starts versus the Astros, falling to 3-4 with a 5.02 ERA in nine career starts against them.

The veteran right-hander has had a tough time against all opponents in recent weeks, going 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in his last four starts. He gave up seven runs and 11 hits in five innings of Milwaukee's 13-6 loss to the Padres on Tuesday night.

Looper surrendered two home runs in that contest, and has given up a major league-high 29 on the season.

In desperate need of a strong pitching performance, Houston (56-61) will counter with Roy Oswalt (6-4, 3.87). Astros pitchers have an 8.36 ERA in the team's last six games, five of them losses.

Oswalt struggled against Florida on Tuesday night after missing two weeks due to a back injury. He gave up six runs and nine hits in five innings as the Astros lost 9-8 in 11 innings.

The right-hander had gone 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his previous seven starts, including two complete games.

Oswalt is 5-6 with a 5.19 ERA in 13 career road starts versus the Brewers, but he is 13-8 with a 3.62 ERA in 26 total starts against them.

Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun is 5 for 11 with two homers and a triple against Oswalt. The left fielder was one of the few Brewers batters that didn't have any success Saturday, going 0 for 4.

Craig Counsell had a big game for Milwaukee, driving in three runs. He had three hits, including his career-high seventh triple.

"I definitely have done a better job of driving the ball this year, and that's important. Those usually mean runs," said Counsell, who is batting .294 after hitting .226 last year.

The Astros, meanwhile, have scored two runs in each contest during a three-game skid that has dropped them 8 1/2 games out of a playoff spot.

"We need something to shake us pretty quickly here because time is beginning to run out on us," manager Cecil Cooper said.

Hunter Pence's two-run homer provided all of Houston's offense Saturday. The All-Star outfielder is 10 for 22 with one home run and three doubles against Looper.