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Suppan looks to keep Brewers' staff rolling

Apr 25, 2009 - 4:53 AM By Jeff Mezydlo Stats Senior Writer

Milwaukee (7-9) at Houston (6-11) 7:05 p.m. EDT

HOUSTON (AP) -- Jeff Suppan went a while between victories. The way the Milwaukee Brewers are currently playing, he might not have to go nearly as long for his next one.

On Saturday night, the veteran hopes to build off his latest effort and help the Brewers to a fourth straight victory as they continue their three-game road set with the Houston Astros.

Suppan (1-2, 8.56 ERA) looks to follow in the footsteps of teammates Dave Bush and Yovani Gallardo with a third straight strong start for Milwaukee, which has won four of its last five contests after a 5-2 win over Houston on Friday.

Gallardo pitched his first career complete game Friday, one day after Bush took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of the Brewers' 6-1 victory at Philadelphia.

Suppan should have the confidence to follow those stellar outings after recording his first win since Aug. 30 last weekend.

After giving up 11 runs over 7 2-3 innings in his first two starts of the year, Suppan allowed two runs and eight hits in six innings of a 4-2 road win over the New York Mets on Sunday.

"This is my third game of 2009," said Suppan, who continues to be pestered after losing his last three decisions of 2008. "Last season is over with."

The right-hander hopes to reverse his fortune against Houston. He is 2-7 with a 5.03 ERA in 13 starts against the Astros.

J.J. Hardy had three hits, while Rickie Weeks and Mike Cameron each added two hits Friday as the Brewers beat the Astros for a third straight time at Minute Maid Park.

"We just have to continue to find ways to be productive and give ourselves a chance," Cameron told the Brewers' official Web site.

Ryan Braun remained hot on the trip with a single and an RBI for Milwaukee, which is 4-3 on a nine-game road trip. Braun is batting .480 (12-for-25) with four homers, seven runs and 10 RBIs on the road swing.

Cameron is batting .315 on the season and 10-for-31 with two home runs and five RBIs against Houston's scheduled starter Mike Hampton.

Hampton (1-1, 3.12) gave up three runs and eight hits while striking out five in 6 1-3 innings, but didn't factor in the decision of a 4-3 loss to Cincinnati on Monday.

The left-hander is 4-2 with a 2.87 ERA in 11 starts against Milwaukee, but hasn't faced the Brewers since 2004 while with Atlanta.

Former Brewer Carlos Lee hit a two-run homer for the Astros, who have lost two in a row and are 3-5 on a 10-game homestand. Houston finished with just five hits, one night after being held to four in a 2-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"We're still scratching, trying to get a big hit when we need one," manager Cecil Cooper told the Astros' Web site.

Though his team has struggled on the homestand, Lee is batting .333 (9-for-27) with three homers and seven RBIs in his last eight games.