Houston @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( May 29, 2011 ) Arizona 4, Houston 2

THE STORY: The Houston Astros have matched a franchise low from 48 years ago and are attempting to avoid further misery when they begin a four-game road series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. The Astros fell 40 games below .500 when they lost to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday to equal the low point in franchise history set back in 1963, when the team was known as the Colt .45s. Arizona broke a three-game losing streak Sunday to salvage the finale of a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Diamondbacks are a half-game behind the San Francisco Giants in the National League West.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FSAZ (Arizona).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Wandy Rodriguez (7-8, 3.69 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Daniel Hudson (11-7, 3.67 ERA).

Rodriguez has lost four of his last five decisions. He was dealing with shoulder tenderness in his last outing when he gave up five runs in five innings while losing to Cincinnati. Rodriguez hasn’t faced Arizona this season and is just 2-5 with a 6.35 ERA in seven career starts against the Diamondbacks. He has lost his last four decisions against Arizona. Xavier Nady is just 2-for-17 against Rodriguez.

Hudson broke a two-game losing streak by beating San Francisco in his last outing. Hudson allowed one run and six hits in eight innings. He has given up just one homer in his last five starts. Hudson is 1-0 with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts against Houston, with the win coming earlier this season despite a shaky outing in which he gave up six runs (five earned) in six innings.

ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (62-52): Arizona missed three opportunities to move into first place when San Francisco was losing and was thwarted again Sunday when both teams won. The Diamondbacks beat Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw when little-used Cody Ransom hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh. It was the first homer of the season for Ransom, who drew the start at shortstop to give Willie Bloomquist a breather. Kelly Johnson hit a two-run homer for his 18th of the season, second on the club to Justin Upton’s 22. Chris Young is batting just .139 over the last 11 games. Rookie first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was rested after striking out eight times in his first 18 major-league at-bats. Goldschmidt is batting .222 with a homer.

ABOUT THE ASTROS (37-77): Houston was 23-34 at one point in June and is just 14-43 since. The Astros were outscored 22-9 while getting swept by Brewers. Houston has been swept 11 times this season. Second baseman Jose Altuve had two hits and an RBI Sunday and is batting .328 in 17 games. Carlos Lee had a two-run single and is 3-for-10 over the last three games after going hitless in 22 at-bats during a six-game span. Matt Downs had a pinch double to end an 0-for-24 slump. Carlos Corporan struck out three times Sunday and has fanned 29 times in 95 at-bats. He is batting .189.

FINAL PITCH: “We still have a lot of games left. We’re extremely young. I don’t think anyone in here has given up yet. We still have to show up every day and keep trying to get better.” – Houston’s Clint Barmes after the Astros fell 40 games below .500 on Sunday.