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Sep 21, 2010 - 4:31 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Houston (72-77) at Washington (62-87), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Houston Astros have played well over the past month, but so has Washington starter John Lannan.

Lannan will try to continue his recent strong pitching when he and the Nationals continue a four-game series against the visiting Astros on Tuesday.

Washington (62-88) is struggling, especially its rotation. Nationals starters have a 6.00 ERA over the last 12 games and have pitched a total of 13 innings in the last four, but Lannan (8-7, 4.61 ERA) has been a bright spot.

The left-hander is 6-2 with a 3.02 ERA in his last eight starts, and has a 2.30 ERA over his last four outings. He gave up two runs and struck out six in six innings of a 4-2 win over Atlanta on Wednesday.

However, Lannan has lost his last two starts against Houston (73-77) after winning the first three of his career. He gave up five runs - two earned - in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-1 defeat June 2 at Minute Maid Park.

Lannan takes the mound after an ugly start Monday by Livan Hernandez led to an 8-2 defeat, Washington's 10th loss in 12 games. Hernandez allowed home runs to Geoff Blum and Humberto Quintero during a seven-run fifth inning for the Astros.

The game drew 10,999, the smallest crowd in Washington, D.C., since the Montreal Expos relocated before the 2005 season.

"It would be tough for me as a fan to come watch us when we're playing bad," said first baseman Adam Dunn, who had one of three errors for the Nationals.

Dunn also had a two-run single in the first to give the Nationals the early lead, but is batting .154 over his last eight games.

Dunn said before Monday's loss that he hopes to remain with Washington after his contract expires at the end of the season. He leads the team with 35 homers and is five RBIs shy of reaching 100 for a third straight year.

Houston has won six of eight and is 20-8 since Aug. 22.

Carlos Lee, who went 2 for 5 with a run scored Monday, is batting .394 with three homers during an eight-game hitting streak.

Seeking their third straight win, the Astros will hand the ball to J.A. Happ (6-2, 3.24), who pitched 4 1-3 innings against Milwaukee on Wednesday, giving up five runs and allowing two homers in an 8-6, 10-inning loss.

Happ, who had posted a 4-1 record and 2.17 ERA in his previous seven starts, gave up three runs in the first inning.

"It was weird simply because J.A. Happ's been so good for so long and they were able to jump on him right away," Houston manager Brad Mills said.

The left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.53 lifetime ERA in two starts and six relief appearances against Washington.