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Hill and Cubs aim for series win over Astros

Sep 2, 2007 - 2:47 PM Houston (61-75) at Chicago Cubs (69-65) 2:20 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Chicago Cubs look to extend their lead in the National League Central and earn a much-needed series win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run homer and Derrek Lee blasted a solo shot in a 4-3 win on Saturday. Chicago, which has lost four of seven games, holds a slim 1 1/2-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers (68-67) and a two-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals (66-66).

Rich Hill (8-7, 3.68 ERA), who is unbeaten in his last three starts, takes the mound for the Cubs. The lefthander is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA during that span. On Tuesday, Hill allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings with nine strikeouts in a 5-3 win over Milwaukee.

In his only start against Houston, Hill was outstanding, allowing just one run and three hits in seven innings, but received a no-decision in a 2-1 loss in 10 innings on August 6.

Meanwhile, Houston has been playing well under interim manager Cecil Cooper, having won three straight before Saturday's loss.

Woody Williams (8-13, 5.04) gets the ball for the Astros and will try to bounce back from a poor outing. Williams, who is 3-8 with a 5.09 ERA in 15 road starts, allowed six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings of a 9-4 loss to St. Louis on Tuesday.