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Chacon looks to guide Astros to fourth win in a row

May 6, 2008 - 1:13 PM Washington (14-18) at Houston (16-16) 8:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) - The Houston Astros have turned things around and look to continue that trend on Tuesday when the host the Washington Nationals in the opener of a three-game series.

After starting the season at 6-12, the Astros have won 10 of their last 14 outings to rest at .500 for the just the second time this season.

Hunter Pence belted a walk off two-run homer in the 12th inning to lead Houston to an 8-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday in the finale of their weekend set.

"Offensively, we've been swinging the bats pretty well except for the two games in St. Louis," Astros first baseman Berkman said. "We've been playing pretty good - we're back to .500."

Houston sends Shawn Chacon (0-0, 3.32 ERA) to the hill with the hopes the righthander can finally register his first win of the season.

Chacon is 3-2 with a 4.30 ERA in 11 career appearances against the Nationals, who enter after taking three of four from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Washington's Shawn Hill (0-0, 3.50) is also looking to break through for his first victory. Hill was solid in his last start, yielding one run and four hits in eight innings against the Atlanta Braves last Wednesday.

The 6-2 righthander will be facing Houston for the first time in his four-year career.