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Dodgers try to avoid fourth straight loss

May 11, 2008 - 3:05 PM Houston (20-17) at La Dodgers (19-17) ,4:10 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers look to snap a three-game losing streak on Sunday when they entertain the Houston Astros.

Prior to the brief slide, Joe Torre's team had won 10 of its previous 11 games. But the Dodgers have been unable to slow down Lance Berkman in this series.

The 32-year-old Berkman, who is on a nine-game hitting streak, went 2-for-3 with a double and run scored in Saturday's 5-0 win.

Berkman is batting .629 during his streak (22-for-35) with four home runs, six doubles and 12 RBI. For the season, he is hitting .386 with 12 homers and 35 RBI.

The Dodgers look to salvage the series finale behind Japanese righthander Hiroki Kuroda (1-2, 3.95 ERA), who is seeking his first win since April 4.

Kuroda lasted just 3 1/3 frames in Tuesday's 5-4 victory over the New York Mets, yielding four runs - two earned - and eight hits with three walks and a strikeout.

Shawn Chacon (0-0, 3.60) will get the start for the Astros, who are aiming for their eighth win in nine games. Oddly, Chacon has come away with a no-decision in each of his first seven starts this season.

The 30-year-old righthander gave up four runs and eight hits with four walks and eight strikeouts over seven innings during Tuesday's 6-5 triumph over the Washington Nationals.