Houston @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2011 ) Houston 3, Arizona 6

THE STORY: The Arizona Diamondbacks have once again moved into first place in the National League West. They look to stay in sole possession of the lead when they complete a four-game series with the Houston Astros on Thursday. The Diamondbacks beat the Astros on Wednesday to move a half-game ahead of the San Francisco Giants to take over the top spot for the first time since June 24. Arizona has beaten Houston two straight nights after losing Monday’s series opener. The Astros, who have lost five of their last six contests, are 41 games below .500 for the first time in franchise history.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Brett Myers (3-12, 4.76) vs. Diamondbacks LH Joe Saunders (8-9, 3.67)

Myers has lost six straight decisions and has gone nine starts since last winning on June 17. He gave up six runs (five earned) and 11 hits in six innings while losing to Milwaukee in his last outing. Myers had allowed three earned runs or less in each of his previous four starts. Myers received a no-decision when he started against Arizona on May 27, giving up four runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Myers is 2-2 with a 4.26 ERA in nine career appearances (eight starts) against Arizona. Kelly Johnson is batting just .179 in 28 career at-bats against Myers.

Saunders lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last outing when he gave up four runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. He had won his previous two decisions. Saunders is just 2-5 with a 4.80 ERA in 11 home starts. His lone career start against the Astros was last season when he received a no-decision despite allowing just two runs and three hits in seven innings. Carlos Lee is 4-for-11 in his career against Saunders.

ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (64-53): Arizona has scored 17 runs over the last two games. Justin Upton is 6-for-9 in the two contests, and had three hits Wednesday while smashing his league-leading 33rd double. He has struggled against Myers – hitless in eight career at-bats with five strikeouts. Ryan Roberts had two hits for his fifth multihit contest in 12 games. Roberts is batting .368 in 57 career at-bats against the Astros. Rookie Paul Goldschmidt had a two-run single but also struck out three times. He has fanned 13 times in 30 major-league at-bats. David Hernandez recorded his 10th save by finishing Wednesday’s contest.

ABOUT THE ASTROS (38-79): Houston had just six hits Wednesday after racking up 30 in the first two games of the series. Rookie third baseman Jimmy Paredes is 6-for-14 in the series and is batting .313 in eight games since reaching the majors. Catcher Humberto Quintero had a run-scoring single to extend his career-best hitting streak to 10 games. Outfielder Jason Bourgeois didn’t start Wednesday after going just 4-for-39 over the last nine games. Triple-A shortstop Tommy Manzella was designated for assignment to open up a 40-man roster spot for pitcher Henry Sosa, who was recalled to start Wednesday’s contest.

FINAL PITCH: Sosa was the losing pitcher in his major-league debut on Wednesday. He is the ninth different Houston player to make his debut this season.