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Struggling Astros continue series with streaking Brewers

Jul 30, 2011 - 2:44 PM (Sports Network) - Given their ownership of the worst record in baseball, it wasn't all too shocking to see the Astros deal away their best player during Friday's opener of a three-game series with the Brewers.

Houston may not be done dealing and that could make for some nervous times tonight at Miller Park, where Milwaukee tries for its longest winning streak in two months.

It was long speculated that the Astros would trade All-Star Hunter Pence prior to Sunday's non-waiver trade deadline and the outfielder was officially moved to Philadelphia during Friday's game for four prospects. Pence started the contest, but was removed in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Things went down hill for Houston from then on as the Brewers broke a scoreless game with two runs in the fifth en route to a 4-0 victory. Randy Wolf, Takashi Saito and Kameron Loe combined on the four-hitter.

Milwaukee maintained its 1 1/2-game lead over St. Louis for first place in the National League Central with its fourth straight win. A victory tonight would give the Brewers their longest win streak since posting six consecutive triumphs from May 20-25.

With Pence no longer able to provide offensive support, Astros rookie Jordan Lyles failed to secure his first major league win and dropped to 0-6 on the season. Houston, owners of just a 35-71 record, have lost six of eight on a 10-game road trip.

Things may not get better in the immediate future for the Astros, but they hope they added some long-term help in trading Pence. Two of the players Houston acquired from Philadelphia, outfielder Jonathan Singleton and pitcher Jarred Cosart, were ranked among the top 50 prospects in baseball by MLB.com.

"It's a win-win for both teams. I'm going to a first-place team, but they're getting four good players back," Pence said. "I'm pretty lucky to be going right into the middle of a pennant race."

Houston still has some chips left to deal should it chose. Starter Wandy Rodriguez and another All-Star outfielder, Michael Bourn, have been drawing interest.

As far as tonight is concerned, J.A. Happ is running out of time to turn around his disappointing season as the Astros left-hander has lost eight of his last nine decisions while getting tagged for at least five runs in six straight starts. All that has factored into a 4-12 record and 6.12 earned run average in 20 starts.

After a win over Washington on July 19, Happ was drilled for six runs on seven hits and three walks over just 4 2/3 innings of a loss to the Cardinals on Monday.

The 28-year-old, one of the players Houston acquired last season after dealing Roy Oswalt to Philadelphia, aims for his first road win since May 3 at Cincinnati. He has lost each of his past five starts as the visiting pitcher and is just 1-7 with an 8.02 ERA in nine road games this season.

Happ hasn't faced the Brewers yet this season and is 2-0 in four games against them, including three starts, even though he has a 5.09 ERA in that span.

After picking up a tough-luck loss at San Francisco on Sunday, the Brewers' Yovani Gallardo returns home for the first time in four starts looking to improve on his 7-1 mark and 3.23 ERA in 10 games at Miller Park this season.

His run of success in Milwaukee includes a victory over the Astros on April 22 after he allowed four runs over six innings. It was the right-hander's fifth straight win over the club and upped his record in this series to 8-2 with a 3.32 ERA in 10 games.

Gallardo will look to continue that trend after taking a 2-1 loss to the Giants on Sunday. He gave up both runs on six hits over seven innings, an amazing feat considering the 25-year-old had reached 75 pitches by the fourth inning. Still, he fell to 11-7 with a 3.89 ERA this season.

The Brewers have won four of seven from the Astros this year, taking three of four at home so far.