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RHP Oswalt trying to halt seven-game skid vs. Arizona

May 27, 2007 - 2:02 PM Houston (21-28) at Arizona (28-23) 4:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros have to feel pretty good about their chances of ending their season-high seven-game losing streak.

Ace Roy Oswalt takes the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks hoping to prevent a four-game sweep on Sunday.

Oswalt (6-3, 3.04 ERA) is 6-0 with a 1.98 ERA in seven career starts against Arizona. Oswalt beat the Diamondbacks earlier in the season yielding three runs and eight hits in six innings in a 10-4 win on May 12.

Oswalt had his three-game winning streak snapped when he allowed four runs and nine hits in seven innings of a 4-2 loss to San Francisco on Tuesday.

The way Houston offense has been struggling, it could sure use a vintage Oswalt performance. The Astros have been outscored 58-12 during their current skid and have managed just 11 runs over the last four games.

Along with Oswalt, another reason for hope is Houston's success against Arizona starter Livan Hernandez. Hernandez (4-2, 3.66), has gone just 1-2 with a 7.77 ERA in his last four starts vs. Houston.

His last time out Hernandez allowed just one run and nine hits in eight inning with a season-high eight strikeouts, but did not factor into the decision as Arizona fell 3-1 to Colorado on Tuesday.