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Houston sends Myers to hill in opener with Brewers

Apr 29, 2011 - 3:11 PM (Sports Network) - Brett Myers gets his second crack at the Milwaukee Brewers in seven days tonight, when the Houston Astros begin a three-game weekend series with their NL Central rivals at Minute Maid Park.

Myers made the 13th appearance of his career against the Brewers on April 23 in Milwaukee, getting a no-decision after allowing 10 hits and five runs in 6 1/3 innings of a game the Astros ultimately won, 9-6.

He has picked up four no-decisions in five starts this season, allowing three runs or less four times and pitching six innings or more in all five opportunities.

The right-hander established a standard for endurance in his first season with the Astros last year, pitching at least six innings in all but one of 33 starts. He is 5-3 with a save and two complete games in his career against the Brewers to go with a 3.49 earned run average and 44 strikeouts in 67 innings.

Milwaukee counters with righty Shaun Marcum, who also walked away with no verdict in the matchup with Myers and the Astros on April 23.

The 29-year-old Marcum allowed seven hits and four runs with eight strikeouts in six innings -- his fourth straight start of six innings or more.

Marcum was removed after 4 2/3 innings of his season debut at Cincinnati on April 2, but responded with consecutive victories over Atlanta and Pittsburgh in which he allowed nine hits and two runs in 13 innings.

A veteran of five seasons and 120 appearances with the American League's Toronto Blue Jays, Marcum was acquired by the Brewers in a December 2010 trade that sent a minor-leaguer to Toronto.

The April 23 game was his first against Houston.

On Thursday in Houston, former Astro Lance Berkman went 4-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI as St. Louis used a nine-run sixth inning to beat the Astros, 11-7.

Hunter Pence went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Chris Johnson added a two-run shot for the Astros, who have dropped five of their last seven. Carlos Lee added two hits and drove in a pair of runs in defeat.

Fernando Abad (1-2) took the loss and was charged with three hits and four runs while retiring just two batters.

On Wednesday in Milwaukee, Drew Stubbs hit a solo homer in the 10th inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds over the Brewers, 7-6, in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Carlos Gomez had two RBI for the Brewers, who went 3-3 on a six-game homestand. Yovani Gallardo gave up six runs on 10 hits over five-plus frames.

The Brewers took two of three at home from the Astros last weekend and have won six of the past nine meetings overall.