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Struggling Astros turn to Oswalt against Rockies

Jun 28, 2007 - 3:03 PM Colorado (38-40) at Houston (32-46) 8:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Roy Oswalt takes the mound as the Houston Astros look to snap a three-game losing streak when they face the Colorado Rockies in the opener of a four-game series on Thursday.

Oswalt (7-5, 3.55 ERA), who has record just one win in his previous eight starts, pitched 6 1/3 innings and yielded three runs and eight hits with four walks and two strikeouts in a 7-2 loss to the Texas Rangers last Saturday.

After starting the season by winning six of his first eight decisions, the 29-year-old Oswalt has posted a 1-3 record with a 4.14 ERA and 38 strikeouts over 50 innings in his last eight outings.

The Astros have struggled to pick wins recently as well, losing six of their last seven contests.

The Rockies will counter with Aaron Cook (4-5, 4.93), who has not won since May 26 against the San Francisco Giants.

Cook surrendered six runs and nine hits with three walks over just 5 1/3 innings in his last outing, an 11-6 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.

The 28-year-old Cook is 0-3 with a 6.28 ERA in his last five starts. Cook has not recorded a strikeout in his last two starts.

Colorado has lost six straight games since sweeping the New York Yankees from June 19-21.