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Aug 29, 2010 - 4:28 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Houston (58-70) at New York (64-64), 1:10 p.m. EDT

The Houston Astros gave up 15 runs in the first two games of their 10-game road trip, but their pitching staff has conducted an impressive turnaround since.

Bud Norris will try to keep that going and help the Astros to their seventh win in eight games Sunday in the finale of a three-game series against the New York Mets.

Houston (59-70) opened this trip with consecutive losses at Florida to extend its road losing streak to six games. The team has rebounded to win six of seven since, including a 4-1 victory over the Mets (64-65) on Saturday night.

The Astros had their offense going early Saturday, scoring two runs in the first inning against New York ace Johan Santana. That's all Brett Myers would need as he pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out six.

It was the seventh straight game Houston has allowed three or fewer runs, and the 11th consecutive game in which a member of the rotation turned in a quality start.

"We're winning because of pitching, I'll tell you that," Carlos Lee, who had a homer and three RBIs Saturday, told the Astros' official website.

Norris (6-7, 5.03 ERA) takes the mound looking to win his fifth straight decision.

He continued the best stretch of his career against Philadelphia on Tuesday, allowing one run and five hits in six innings of a 4-2, 16-inning win. That was the sixth straight win for the Astros in a game he started.

The right-hander made his first appearance against the Mets on Aug. 19, giving up two runs and two hits in seven innings of a 3-2 victory.

He has a good chance at recording another win against New York given how anemic the Mets offense at Citi Field has been. Saturday was the eighth time in the last 12 home games they scored two or fewer runs.

New York has four hits in 34 at-bats with runners in scoring position in the last five games.

"We got to believe that at some point in these last 37 games, we're going to break out," manager Jerry Manuel said. "I see guys trying to get the job done, but I wouldn't call it pressing."

The Mets will turn to R.A. Dickey (8-5, 2.64), who gave up a season-high 10 hits and matched his high for the year with five runs allowed over seven innings of a 6-5 win against Florida on Tuesday. He didn't earn a decision for the second straight start after giving up a three-run homer in the seventh.

The right-hander was much sharper in his previous start against Houston on Aug. 18, when he surrendered two runs over 8 1-3 innings of a 3-2, 14-inning win.

Mets shortstop Jose Reyes has missed the last two games with a right oblique strain he aggravated Thursday. He said he would test himself before Sunday's game.