• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Astros go for 10th consecutive victory vs. Braves

Sep 29, 2006 - 12:51 PM Houston (81-78) at Atlanta (77-82) 7:05 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) - The Houston Astros waited until almost the last possible moment to put together a final winning stretch that could lead to an unlikely playoff berth.

Roger Clemens gets the call Friday as the Astros go for their season-high 10th straight win in the opener of their final regular-season series, against the Atlanta Braves.

Houston is on the verge of one of the most surprising comebacks in major league history. The Astros are just one-half game out of first place in the National League Central Division as the St. Louis Cardinals have lost eight of their last nine.

Two years ago, Houston needed to finish 36-10 - including a dozen straight wins - to capture the wild card slot. Last year, the Astros were the first team since the 1914 Boston Braves to reach the World Series after falling 15 games below .500.

If Houston fails to reach the postseason, this could be the final appearance for the 44-year-old Clemens (7-5, 2.35 ERA), who has not made a decision about returning for his 24th season. The "Rocket" again tries to record his 349th victory after failing to get a decision Monday against the Cardinals.

After scoring 25 runs in two games against the New York Mets, Atlanta failed to complete a three-game series sweep with Thursday's 7-4 loss.

Rookie lefthander Chuck James (10-4, 3.94) wants to finish the year on an upbeat note after winning six of his last seven decisions since August 4. However, he did not get a decision Monday against the Colorado Rockies after surrendering six runs and seven hits in five frames.