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Brewers duel Astros with wild-card in mind

Aug 20, 2008 - 10:14 AM Houston (64-62) at Milwaukee (72-55) 2:05 p.m. EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewers hope to stretch a 2 1/2-game lead in the wild-card race when they take on the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

Milwaukee sits ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals (70-58) and four games up on the Philadelphia Phillies (67-58). The Astros (64-62) are hanging around, 7 1/2 behind.

Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez (7-5, 4.15 ERA) will look to regain his form after a rough start . He had won five of six decisions prior to a loss on August 15.

The lefthander tied a career-high with six walks in that start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He lasted 2 1/3 innings, allowing four runs and three hits to go along with the half-dozen walks. It was his shortest outing.

Manny Parra (9-6, 4.12) takes a personal four-game losing streak to the mound for Milwaukee.

He is 5-2 in 13 starts at home, but has not won a decision at Miller Park in his last five trips.

The two matched up on July 25, with the Brewers taking a 3-1 decision. Parra allowed three runs in six innings to take the loss, while Rodriguez earned the win, giving up one run and three hits in six frames.