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Struggling Astros host Brewers in series finale

Aug 7, 2011 - 3:08 PM (Sports Network) - The Houston Astros have never finished a season 40 games under .500, but incredibly today they can reach the mark with a loss to the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers.

Prince Fielder is certainly taking advantage of Houston's struggles. Last night, the slugging first baseman collected three hits and four RBI to lead Milwaukee to a 7-5 victory.

Fielder's hits included a three-run homer in the first inning and an RBI double in the sixth, bookending a performance that helped the Brewers win for the 10th time in 11 games. They lead the division by three games over St. Louis.

While Fielder's output was noteworthy, it was also hardly surprising given how much success he's had against Myers. He is 9-for-11 with two homers and seven RBI against him in 2011, and 13-for-26 with five homers and 13 RBI in his career.

Myers' (3-12) inability to get Fielder out was a primary reason he ended up taking the loss. He allowed six runs -- five earned -- on 11 hits and a walk in six innings, and the Houston offense couldn't completely erase the deficit.

Brewers starter Chris Narveson (8-6) lasted just 5 1/3 innings and allowed four runs, but was bailed out by his offense. Yuniesky Betancourt added four hits and an RBI, while Jonathan Lucroy went 2-for-4 with a home run.

J.D. Martinez, Carlos Lee and Clint Barmes all went deep for Houston, but the homers weren't enough to keep the Astros from falling to 2-3 on their homestand, which ends with Sunday's series finale.

"Offensively, there was a lot of good things," Astros manager Brad Mills said. "We came through and I thought we started swinging the bats a little bit."

Zack Greinke starts today's game for the Brewers. He's won his last two starts, having allowed a total of two runs over 12 2/3 innings. The righty's lone career start against Houston came when he limited the Astros to a run over eight shutout innings in his team's victory.

Bud Norris is 0-1 over his last four starts, and the 26-year-old righty hasn't won since July 6 at Pittsburgh. The Astros, though, have won four of the last five games he's started. Norris blanked the Brewers over 7 2/3 innings in a 5-0 win on May 1.

Milwaukee has beaten Houston eight out of 11 tries this season.