Milwaukee @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 6, 2012 ) Milwaukee 7, Houston 1

The Houston Astros attempt to halt their lengthy losing streak Saturday when they host the Milwaukee Brewers in the middle game of their three-game series. Fresh off an 0-7 road trip, Houston suffered its ninth consecutive setback in Friday's series opener as J.A. Happ served up three home runs to Milwaukee - including Ryan Braun's National League-leading 24th of the season. The skid is the Astros' longest since they also dropped nine in a row from Sept. 13-22, 2009.

The Brewers stopped a brief two-game slide that followed a four-game winning streak. Milwaukee has poured on the offense lately, scoring a total of 32 runs over its last five contests.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN (Milwaukee, Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Zack Greinke (9-2, 3.08 ERA) vs. Astros LH Wandy Rodriguez (6-6, 3.54 ERA)

Greinke is seeking his fifth consecutive victory. The 28-year-old avoided his first loss at Miller Park as a Brewer on Monday as Milwaukee rallied to defeat Miami despite Greinke allowing five runs over six innings. He is perfect against Houston in his career, going 4-0 with a 2.00 ERA in four starts.

Rodriguez is coming off a loss to the Cubs in Chicago on Sunday in which he surrendered three runs in seven innings. He has dropped his last two decisions despite yielding just five runs over 14 frames in those contests. The 33-year-old is 7-8 with a 3.78 ERA in 21 career appearances against the Brewers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Happ has allowed a team-high 17 home runs, including three in Friday's loss.

2. Milwaukee RF Norichika Aoki extended his career-high hitting streak to 13 games Friday with a solo home run in the first inning.

3. The Astros have scored two runs or less in six of their last eight contests.