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Reds open series against Astros

Apr 18, 2007 - 1:52 PM Houston (6-6) at Cincinnati (8-6) 7:10 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The Cincinnati Reds host the Houston Astros in the opener of a two-game series on Wednesday.

Houston finished two games ahead of the Reds in the National League Central last season.

Aaron Harang (2-0, 5.40 ERA) gets the start for the Reds when the teams meet for the first time this season. Harang, who is 6-5 in 14 career starts against the Astros, won his first two starts of the year, but did not fare well in his last start against the Chicago Cubs. The righthander allowed five runs, nine hits and two walks in four innings as the Cubs jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Harang was spared the loss when the Reds rallied for a 6-5 win.

Chris Sampson (1-0, 0.00) will make his second start of the season for Houston. He has not allowed a run in eight innings.

Carlos Lee is showing why the Astros signed him to a $100 million contract in the offseason. The left fielder hit two home runs and had four RBI in Tuesday's 6-1 victory over the Florida Marlins.

Lee leads the team with a .340 (16-of-47) batting average, five home runs and 16 RBI. His first three home runs of the year came in last Friday's win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. is still looking for his first home run of the season. He hit 27 home runs in 109 games in 2006.