San Diego @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 5, 2011 ) Houston 2, San Diego 7
The Houston Astros try for their third straight victory Monday when they host the San Diego Padres in the opener of a four-game series. Houston scored a total of one run in consecutive losses to Kansas City and was shut out in the initial contest of its three-game set against Cleveland. But the offense came to life as the club beat the Indians by a combined 15-2 over the final two contests.
A 7-1 triumph on Sunday gave Houston a 3-3 record on its 10-game homestand. The Padres are kicking off a 10-game road trip after taking two of three from Seattle. Sunday's 2-0 victory gave San Diego an 8-7 record against the American League this season, its third winning mark in 16 years of interleague play. In the win, Chris Denorfia extended his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games, the longest run by a Padre in 2012.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN (San Diego, Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Ross Ohlendorf (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Astros LH Wandy Rodriguez (6-5, 3.29 ERA)
Ohlendorf will be making his second consecutive start following two relief appearances this season. The 29-year-old lasted only 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision at Oakland last Saturday, allowing three runs and five hits. Ohlendorf has yet to beat Houston in his career as he is 0-6 with a 5.89 ERA in 11 games, including nine starts.
Rodriguez is coming off his first loss in six outings, a setback to Kansas City in which he yielded two runs and six hits over seven innings. The loss dropped him to 3-4 in nine starts at home this season. Rodriguez, who has pitched more than six frames only twice in his last seven outings, is 3-2 with a 4.55 ERA in six career games - five starts - against San Diego.
WALK-OFFS:
1. San Diego rookie 1B Yonder Alonso is not expected to play due to a sore left knee. Jesus Guzman is likely to take his place in the lineup.
2. Rodriguez has won three straight against the Padres but has not faced them since 2009.
3. Houston 2B Jose Altuve left Sunday's win over Cleveland with a strained right hamstring and is day-to-day.