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Astros-Brewers Preview

Aug 8, 2010 - 3:34 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Houston (47-61) at Milwaukee (51-59), 2:10 p.m. EDT

Yovani Gallardo has been the most reliable starter for a Milwaukee rotation that has struggled this season. The Brewers have come to rely on their ace to get the best of the Houston Astros.

The right-hander tries for a fourth straight victory over the Astros as the Brewers look to complete a three-game sweep at Miller Park on Sunday afternoon.

Milwaukee's starters have a 4.83 ERA, among the worst in the majors. That's not been because of Gallardo (10-5, 2.71), who has won two of three outings since coming off the disabled list with an oblique strain.

Gallardo allowed a run, two hits and matched a career-high with 12 strikeouts in six innings of an 18-1 win over the Cubs on Monday. He bounced back after giving up six runs in 2 2-3 innings of a 12-4 home loss to Cincinnati on July 27.

"You expect it because he's our ace, our best pitcher. We don't expect anything less from him," teammate Ryan Braun said.

Gallardo, 6-2 with a 2.72 ERA versus Houston, has won his last three starts against the Astros. He gave up four runs in six innings of a 7-5 home victory June 29.

A week after totaling two runs while being swept at Houston, Milwaukee (52-59) can return the favor after scoring 11 in the first two meetings this weekend. The Brewers have won four of five after a 5-2 victory Saturday.

Corey Hart had three hits, Prince Fielder drove in two runs and Rickie Weeks led off the game with an inside-the-park home run.

Though no longer the closer, Trevor Hoffman recorded his sixth save of the season, leaving him three shy of 600 for his career

"I'm just glad we were able to get him a little closer to where he wants to go," manager Ken Macha said.

Fielder has five RBIs in the series and 11 over his last five games. He is 6 for 17 in his last four against the Astros (47-62).

Weeks has a career-high 23 home runs and set a Brewers' record with his seventh leadoff homer this season. The second baseman is batting .364 against Houston this year.

Wesley Wright (1-1, 4.44) will try to beat Milwaukee for the second time in as many starts Sunday. The left-hander allowed two runs and struck out six in seven innings of a 5-2 win in his first start against the Brewers last Sunday.

"I was able to get ahead early," Wright told the Astros' official website. "It gives them more to think about. It was there (in the last start), and hopefully, it will be there next time out."

The former reliever is 1-1 with a 3.78 ERA in three starts since being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock.

Houston rookie Chris Johnson had two hits Saturday to raise his average to .355 in 44 games. The third baseman is batting .453 with 19 RBIs in his last 17 contests for the Astros, who have lost three straight since winning seven in a row.