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Astros take on Braves in rubber game

Sep 28, 2008 - 7:35 AM Atlanta (72-89) at Houston (85-75) 2:05 p.m. EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- After a spirited run towards the National League wild card fell short, the Houston Astros are left to play for third place in the NL Central.

The Astros sit one-half game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals and will look to stay in the third position in the division when they conclude their season against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

Atlanta ended the Astros 'three-game winning streak on Saturday by roughing up Brandon Backe to the tune of eight runs in 1 2/3 innings. While rookie James Parr was unable to make it out of the fifth, the Braves held on for an 11-5 win.

Mike Hampton (3-3, 4.88) will attempt to end the Braves' disappointing season on a high note. The lefthander has allowed two earned runs in each of his last three starts and will look to win consecutive decisions for the first time this season.

He allowed two runs, six hits and three walks over six innings in a 3-2 victory over the Phillies on September 23.

The Astros counter with Wandy Rodriguez (8-7, 3.73), who was stellar before injurying a right oblique muscle on September 7. He had allowed three earned runs over his previous 18 innings with 20 strikeouts.

In his return from the disabled list on Tuesday, Rodriguez allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings against the Cincinnati Reds, but did not earn a decision. The Reds went on to win the game, 2-1.