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Astros seek seventh straight victory

Aug 13, 2008 - 10:12 AM San Francisco (50-68) at Houston (60-59) 8:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros couldn't have expected to maintain a long winning streak after the loss of Carlos Lee. Instead, three games into his absence, the offense has thrived.

The resurgent Astros aim to collect their season-best seventh straight triumph on Wednesday when they continue their four-game set against the San Francisco Giants.

Lee, Houston's leader in homers and RBI, suffered a fractured left finger in the Astros' win over Cincinnati on Saturday. The outfielder underwent surgery on Monday and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, if not the rest of the season.

However, instead of falling flat, Houston has put together two of its best offensive performances over the three games Lee has missed. Lance Berkman was the star on Tuesday, sparking an eight-run seventh inning with a grand slam in a 12-4 triumph over San Francisco.

Randy Wolf (7-10, 4.67 ERA) looks to become the latest benefactor of Houston's offense, when he seeks his second his second victory in three starts. The lefthander did not factor into the decision in his latest outing though, surrendering four runs and seven hits over six innings in Friday's 9-5 win over Cincinnati.

Since he was acquired from San Diego on July 22, Houston is undefeated with Wolf on the mound.

The Giants will try to rebound from their second straight loss with Barry Zito (6-14, 5.55), who set a career high in losses in his last start. The lefthander permitted five runs and six hits over five innings in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Giants also will be anxiously awaiting an update on the condition of star righthander Tim Lincecum, who took a line drive off the knee on Tuesday and was forced from the game in the fifth inning.