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Astros attempt to stay perfect vs. Dodgers

Jul 1, 2008 - 3:15 PM LA Dodgers (38-44) at Houston (40-43) 8:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros have yet to lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers this season. If Wandy Rodriguez continues to pitch at Minute Maid Park like he has this season, it's a trend that should continue.

The Astros will try to win their fifth game in as many tries against the Dodgers this season when the teams continue their series on Tuesday.

Houston, which has won three straight, will eye four consecutive victories for the first time in nearly two months. The last such streak, which ran from May 9-12, started when the Astros swept a three-game road set against the Dodgers.

The Astros' season-long dominance has a good chance to continue as long as Rodriguez (3-3, 2.58 ERA) continues his mastery at home, where he is 2-2 with a 1.89 ERA in six starts, holding opponents to a .189 batting average in those outings.

On the road, he is 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA in four turns, allowing the opposition to hit .276.

The lefthander was at it again in his last start on Thursday, matching a career high with nine strikeouts while yielding Texas to one run and five hits over eight innings in a 7-2 home victory.

He'll be opposed by Clayton Kershaw (0-2, 4.36), who is still searching for his first major league win in his eighth start. The lefthander, who has received only eight runs of support from his offense, allowing two runs and six hits with four walks over four-plus innings in Thursday 2-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox.