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Astros-Rangers Preview

Jun 25, 2010 - 5:55 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Houston (27-45) at Texas (43-28), 8:05 p.m. EDT

Houston failed last weekend to snap the Texas Rangers' current winning stretch. The Astros might have an even harder time trying to do so this time.

The AL West-leading Rangers look to extend the majors' longest winning streak to 12 games as they host the Astros on Friday night.

A week ago, Texas (44-28) swept Houston to conclude an 8-1 road trip. The Rangers extended their winning streak to 11 games after sweeping Pittsburgh at home.

Vladimir Guerrero singled home the winning run in the ninth inning as Texas rallied from an early four-run deficit to beat the Pirates 6-5 on Thursday.

In the midst of the club's longest winning stretch since a 14-game run in 1991, the Rangers are 18-4 in June and looking for their ninth win in 10 games over Astros (28-45).

"We just want to make sure we keep playing hard," said All-Star Michael Young, who went 2 for 5 with an RBI on Thursday. "We're just making sure we're concentrating on the effort."

Texas' Josh Hamilton extended his hitting streak to a career-high 18 games with three hits Thursday. The All-Star is 36 for 72 with 24 RBIs during the streak, which included a 9-for-15 effort against the Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Colby Lewis (7-4, 3.07 ERA) tries for a third straight victory overall and second in as many starts against Houston.

The right-hander struck out nine on his way to a two-hitter in a 5-1 victory in his first start against Houston on Saturday.

Lewis, who spent the past two seasons pitching in Japan, has allowed four runs and nine hits while striking out 24 in 24 innings in winning his last three starts.

"I think he's starting to get more consistent in what he's trying to do out there," manager Ron Washington said. " He's executing his pitches. He really is."

Lewis is 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA against the NL this season.

Houston's Brian Moehler (0-4, 5.86) will again oppose Lewis. The right-hander yielded one hit Saturday - a two-run homer - in six innings in taking the loss.

"You can't say enough about Moehler and how well he pitched," Astros manager Brad Mills said.

Moehler, 0-3 with a 6.93 ERA in five starts this season, is 9-11 with a 3.89 ERA in 31 interleague starts.

He'll try to help the Astros to a third straight victory after they took the final two against San Francisco to win their first series since taking three of four at Colorado from June 7-10.

"We've been looking for something to build on and hopefully this will be that thing," said Lance Berkman, who had two RBIs in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Giants.

Hunter Pence hit a three-run homer and rookie catcher Jason Castro added his first home run as the Astros won for the third time in 12 games.

Pence is hitting .324 in his last nine games. He is batting.368 with three homers and five RBIs in nine career road games versus the Rangers.