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Astros look to continue home success vs. Cardinals

Jun 7, 2008 - 1:48 PM St. Louis (36-27) at Houston (32-30) 7:05 p.m. EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- After a disastrous road trip, the Houston Astros will look to post their second straight home victory when they host the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

The Astros lost seven of nine games on a recent swing against National league Central Division foes St. Louis, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh, dropping their overall record away from Minute Maid Park to 16-21. They managed a total of 13 runs over the last eight games of the trip

But a return home Friday woke up the offense, as Mark Loretta went 4-for-4 and Geoff Blum homered to lead Houston to a 6-1 win in the series opener. Brian Moehler pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits, to earn the win.

Shawn Chacon (2-1, 4.41 ERA) will be looking to bounce back from his first loss of the season and lead the Astros to a second straight win on Saturday. The veteran righthander lasted just one inning Sunday at Milwaukee, allowing four runs during a 10-1 loss.

He has faced the Cardinals three times already this season, going 1-0 while allowing seven runs - six earned - in 20 total innings.

St. Louis will counter with ace Adam Wainwright (5-3, 3.12). The righthander suffered a loss Monday against Pittsburgh, allowing five runs and seven hits in eight innings.

Wainwright has beaten the Astros twice this season, allowing four runs and eight hits in 17 innings while striking out 14.