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Giants-Astros Preview

Jun 24, 2010 - 5:28 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

San Francisco (39-30) at Houston (26-45), 2:05 p.m. EDT

A rare victory over San Francisco has the Houston Astros in position to win their first series in two weeks.

The Astros look for a second straight victory over the Giants to conclude their three-game set Thursday at Minute Maid Park.

Jeff Keppinger drove in three runs and Carlos Lee added two hits as Houston (27-45) snapped a nine-game losing streak to San Francisco with a 6-3 win Wednesday.

After winning for the second time in 11 games to snap a five-game skid overall, the Astros now have a chance to win their first series since taking three of four at Colorado from June 7-10.

"You just have to continue to play the game," right fielder Hunter Pence told the Astros' official website.

Trying to avoid a fourth consecutive losing series likely will not be easy against San Francisco's scheduled starter Matt Cain (6-5, 2.16 ERA), who is coming off his first loss since May 22.

The right-hander posted an 0.55 ERA while winning his previous four starts before he gave up three eighth-inning runs in a 3-0 loss at Toronto on Saturday.

"It comes down to one or two mistakes, and that's what's going to be the ballgame," Cain told the Giants' official website.

Cain is 1-2 with a 3.90 ERA in four starts against the Astros. He allowed four runs in 6 2-3 innings, but didn't factor in the decision of a 10-4 win at Houston on April 7.

Lee is 5 for 11 with a home run and double against Cain. The Astros' slugger is hitting a disappointing .228, but is 5 for 12 in his last three games against the Giants.

After Brett Myers gave the Astros a strong seven innings Wednesday, Wandy Rodriguez (3-10, 6.09) tries to avoid a fourth straight loss.

The left-hander allowed six runs in three innings of a 9-3 loss to Texas on Friday. Rodriguez is 0-3 with a 10.20 ERA since his last victory against Washington on June 2.

In his last start against San Francisco on April 6, Rodriguez allowed three runs in six innings of a 3-0 loss. That dropped him to 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA versus the Giants.

Edgar Renteria had three hits and former Astro Aubrey Huff drove in a run Wednesday as San Francisco (39-31) fell to 2-3 on a six-game road trip.

Though Huff went 0 for 5 on Wednesday, he is batting .333 in June and been a solid presence during his first season with the Giants.

(Huff) certainly has helped this club with our mentality," manager Bruce Bochy said. "We do admit we're a free-swinging club, but now I think with guys like Huff, we're getting better at-bats and it's helping the lineup.