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Torn nail not stopping Astros RHP Oswalt

Sep 6, 2008 - 10:26 AM Houston (74-67) at Colorado (67-75) 8:05 p.m. EDT

DENVER (Ticker) -- Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt won't let a torn nail on his right middle finger interrupt his hot streak.

Oswalt goes for his third win in as many starts Saturday when the Astros face the Colorado Rockies.

The 31-year-old righthander suffered the minor injury against the Chicago Cubs on Monday. Despite the torn nail, Oswalt (13-9, 3.91 ERA) logged his longest outing of the season, pitching 8 1/3 innings while surrendering four hits and striking out three en route to a 3-0 victory.

With the win, Oswalt improved to 5-1 with a 1.59 ERA during his previous six outings, allowing one run or less in four of those starts. He is poised for another strong performance as he owns a 5-1 record and 2.14 ERA in eight career outings against the Rockies.

Jeff Francis (4-8, 5.14) counters for Colorado, which snapped the Astros' eight-game win streak with a 5-3 victory on Friday.

Francis is 1-0 in his last four starts, allowing 12 runs - seven earned - in 26 innings. The 27-year-old lefthander yielded one run and six hits in seven frames, but did not factor in the decision during Sunday's 2-1 loss to the San Diego Padres.