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Pence looks to continue sensational start

May 20, 2007 - 1:29 PM Texas (16-27) at Houston (21-21) 2:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Prior to the start of the season, Hunter Pence was just another prospect who had a great spring. The only difference is his bat never cooled off.

Pence and the Astros conclude their interleague series with the Texas Rangers on Sunday in the rubber game of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.

In a lineup that includes a second baseman nearing 3,000 career hits (Craig Biggio), one of the biggest free agent signings of last winter (Carlos Lee) and a player who finished third in last year's National League MVP race (Lance Berkman), Pence has parlayed his incredible spring success (.571 batting average) to the regular season (.356).

Pence has been so instrumental to Houston's success that the Astros are 12-4 when the rookie center fielder records a hit and 0-4 when he is held hitless, including a loss on May 10 when Pence did not play. Houston had lost seven straight contests when they called up Pence from the minors on April 27 to help their struggling offense.

The 24-year-old phenom went 2-for-4 in Houston's 6-1 win on Saturday, extending his hitting streak to seven games and is batting .600 (15-for-25) during his hitting streak.

Woody Williams (1-5, 5.10 ERA) will head to the mound as the Astros go for their fourth win in five games against the Rangers, dating to last season. He is 4-2 with a 3.90 ERA in 16 career games - eight starts - against the Rangers, but has not faced them since 2004, as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Williams did not factor into the decision in Houston's 6-5, 10-inning win over San Francisco on Tuesday, despite allowing four runs - including two homers - and nine hits over seven frames.

The Rangers, who sport an American League-worst 6-17 road record, hope to get another quality start from Brandon McCarthy (3-4, 6.51). He is 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA in three starts this month after going 1-4 with a 9.90 ERA in six April contests.

The righthander gave up three runs in six innings against Tampa Bay last Tuesday but did not factor into the decision in Texas' 4-3, 10-inning defeat. In two relief appearances against the Astros, McCarthy has allowed one run and four hits in three innings.