Houston @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 8, 2011 ) Houston 9, Arizona 1

THE STORY: The Houston Astros acted like a team in a pennant race, not the worst team in baseball during Monday’s opener of a four-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Houston matched a season-high with 16 hits during a 9-1 drubbing of the Diamondbacks, who remain a half-game behind the San Francisco Giants in the National League West race. Arizona has lost four of five games entering Tuesday’s contest. Houston snapped a three-game losing streak that included the franchise falling to 40 games below .500 on Sunday. The only other time Houston was 40 games below .500 was back in 1963.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Jordan Lyles (1-6, 4.36) vs. Diamondbacks RH Jason Marquis (8-6, 4.33)

Lyles beat Cincinnati last Wednesday for his first major-league victory in 12 starts since being recalled. Lyles allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings. It was his third straight start in which he gave up three or fewer runs. The 20-year-old Lyles has struck out 17 and walked just two in 27 1/3 innings over his last four outings. This is his first appearance against the Diamondbacks.

Marquis was racked by San Francisco for eight runs (seven earned) and 10 hits in four innings in his Arizona debut last Wednesday. He is just 1-4 over his last five starts. Marquis’ only win in that span came against Houston on July 18 when he gave up two runs in eight innings. He matched a season-high with nine strikeouts. Marquis is 10-8 with a 5.33 ERA in 30 career appearances (25 starts) against the Astros. Carlos Lee is batting .405 with four homers in 42 career at-bats against Marquis.

ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (62-53): Arizona had just four hits in Monday’s loss and has scored only 13 runs over the last five games. Ryan Roberts reached base twice on a single and a walk and is batting .394 with 13 walks over his last 11 games. Justin Upton went hitless for the second straight game and is 2-for-19 over the last five games. Rookie Paul Goldschmidt was back in the lineup after getting Sunday off. He was hitless and struck out for the ninth time in 21 at-bats. Shortstop Willie Bloomquist was given the day off for the second straight day.

ABOUT THE ASTROS (38-77): The nine runs were Houston’s most since losing 14-10 to Tampa Bay on June 26. Rookies Jose Altuve and J.D. Martinez have been impressive in their brief stints in the majors. Altuve went 3-for-5 and scored three runs Monday to raise his average to .348 through 18 games. Martinez had two hits and slammed a three-run, opposite-field homer. Martinez has three homers and 11 RBIs in 32 major-league at-bats. Matt Downs also had three hits while Clint Barmes, Carlos Corporan and Jimmy Paredes had two hits apiece. Carlos Lee was given the night off. Houston manager Brad Mills indicated he will wait until Tuesday’s contest to decide on a starting pitcher for Wednesday’s game. The Astros demoted J.A. Happ on Saturday.

FINAL PITCH: “You can’t take these guys lightly. They have been swinging the bats like this. They are very aggressive and they find plenty of holes.” – Arizona manager Kirk Gibson after Monday’s loss.