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Cubs look to continue offensive success in Houston

Sep 11, 2007 - 2:53 PM Chicago Cubs (73-70) at Houston (62-81) 8:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- A day after an offensive explosion, the Chicago Cubs visit hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park in the opener of a three-game series with the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

Chicago, which had scored 15 runs in its previous four games, routed the St. Louis Cardinals, 12-3, in a makeup game on Monday.

Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee both homered for the Cubs, who are tied with the Milwaukee Brewers (73-70) for first place in the National League Central Division.

Jason Marquis (11-8, 4.13 ERA) takes the mound Tuesday and would like to see the offense keep producing, which would help him pick up a rare road win. The righthander has just one win in his last 10 road starts.

On Thursday, Marquis allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings but watched his bullpen squander a two-run lead in a 7-4 loss to Los Angeles.

Houston, which was swept by the New York Mets over the weekend, has lost five straight games and could finish with its first losing season since 2000.

Brandon Backe (0-1, 4.76) makes his second start since returning from elbow surgery in August of last season. The righthander allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 5-3 loss to Milwaukee on Tuesday.