GAME THREAD: NL: HOUSTON (54-65) at LA DODGERS (60-59)

NL: HOUSTON (54-65) at LA DODGERS (60-59)

<h3>Streaking Astros look to extend Dodgers' struggles</h3>

<div class="pre">Houston (54-65) at LA Dodgers (60-59) 10:10 pm EDT</div>

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Winners of seven of their last ninegames, the Houston Astros look to extend the offensive woes ofthe Los Angeles Dodgers as the teams continue their four-gameseries on Wednesday.


Astros starters Roy Oswalt and rookie Matt Albers combined tohold the Dodgers to just four of a total five runs in securingvictories in the first two games of this series, including a 7-4win on Tuesday.


Even though Los Angeles managed to score more than two runs forjust the third time in its last 12 games, the Dodgers fell to2-10 during that span.


Los Angeles has batted a major league-low .224 (98-for-437) inAugust, the worst mark in the major leagues this month.

The Dodgers have lost six straight contests at Dodger Stadiumand 15 of their last 20 games at home.


Even Brad Penny (13-3, 2.54 ERA) has not been immune to thelosing despite the fact that he dropped just one decision in hisfirst 21 starts. The righthander had lost two straight gamesbefore failing to figure in the decision of Friday's 2-1 winover the St. Louis Cardinals despite striking out six over sevenscoreless innings.


That was just one of three wins in August for Los Angeles, whichhas dropped to 6 1/2 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks inthe National League West.


The two-time All-Star will be seeking his first win in fivecareer starts against the Astros. Overall, he is 0-2 with a5.84 ERA in four previous outings against the NL Central club.

Opposing him will be a pitcher who can relate to majorstruggles. Jason Jennings (2-7, 6.15), who earned his only winin his last 10 starts vs. the Dodgers on July 24, cannot seem tobuy a win as the Astros are just 3-14 in the 17 games in whichhe has appeared.


In his last outing, Jennings gave up four runs and three hits -including two homers - in 5 1/3 innings but did not factor in a5-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON AT LA DODGERS -- LINEUPS

HOUSTON LA DODGERS
AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI
Chris Burke 2B .233 4 21 Rafael Furcal SS .276 5 39
Mark Loretta SS .288 2 30 Juan Pierre CF .284 0 27
Lance Berkman 1B .262 21 72 Matt Kemp RF .316 7 24
Carlos Lee LF .303 24 95 Jeff Kent 2B .288 15 61
Ty Wigginton 3B .317 1 4 James Loney 1B .323 5 25
Luke Scott RF .256 14 55 Russell Martin C .289 12 68
Jason Lane CF .179 8 24 Luis Gonzalez LF .275 11 53
Brad Ausmus C .233 3 22 Shea Hillenbrand 3B .200 0 0
Jason Jennings RHP .087 0 1 Brad Penny RHP .283 0 6
(2-7, 6.15) (13-3, 2.54)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS
WARMUPS: HOU - JASON JENNINGS (2-7, 6.15)
LOS - BRAD PENNY (13-3, 2.54)

UMPIRES: HP - TRAVIS REININGER
1B - TOM HALLION
2B - JERRY CRAWFORD
3B - JAMES HOYE

WEATHER: 84 Degrees, clear
WIND: 5 mph, out to center</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS
STARTING BATS: HOU - JASON JENNINGS AND BRAD AUSMUS
LOS - BRAD PENNY AND RUSSELL MARTIN

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C BURKE (.233, 4 HR, 21 RBI)
M LORETTA (.288, 2 HR, 30 RBI)
L BERKMAN (.262, 21 HR, 72 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0
LA DODGERS 0 0 0 (BOT 1)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - JASON JENNINGS
LOS - BRAD PENNY

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: R FURCAL (.276, 5 HR, 39 RBI)
J PIERRE (.284, 0 HR, 27 RBI)
M KEMP (.316, 7 HR, 24 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (0) VS LA DODGERS (0) - MID 1ST - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .232
M Loretta ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .261
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
T Wigginton 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .317
L Scott rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .256
J Lane cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .179
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .233
J Jennings p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .087

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 2 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .276
J Pierre cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
M Kemp rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .316
J Kent 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288
J Loney 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .323
R Martin c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .289
L Gonzalez lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .275
S Hillenbrand 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
B Penny p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283

Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 0 -- 0
LA DODGERS - -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.15

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Penny 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.52

Pitches-strikes: B Penny 16-11. Ground balls-fly balls: B Penny 0-1. Batters
faced: B Penny 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Travis Reininger. 1B--Tom Hallion. 2B--Jerry Crawford. 3B--James
Hoye.

Weather: 78 degrees, clear. Wind: 5 mph, out to center.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS
CONFIRMED STARTERS: HOU - JASON JENNINGS
LOS - BRAD PENNY</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0
LA DODGERS 0 0 0 0 (TOP 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - JASON JENNINGS
LOS - BRAD PENNY

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C LEE (.303, 24 HR, 95 RBI)
T WIGGINTON (.317, 1 HR, 4 RBI)
L SCOTT (.256, 14 HR, 55 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (0) VS LA DODGERS (0) - END 1ST - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .232
M Loretta ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .261
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
T Wigginton 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .317
L Scott rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .256
J Lane cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .179
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .233
J Jennings p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .087

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 2 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .275
J Pierre cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
M Kemp rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .314
J Kent 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288
J Loney 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .323
R Martin c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .289
L Gonzalez lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .275
S Hillenbrand 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
B Penny p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 1 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 0 -- 0
LA DODGERS - 0 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 6.08

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Penny 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.52

Pitches-strikes: J Jennings 10-8; B Penny 16-11. Ground balls-fly balls: J
Jennings 1-1; B Penny 0-1. Batters faced: J Jennings 3; B Penny 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Travis Reininger. 1B--Tom Hallion. 2B--Jerry Crawford. 3B--James
Hoye.

Weather: 78 degrees, clear. Wind: 5 mph, out to center.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY TY WIGGINTON SCORED CARLOS LEE.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, T WIGGINTON ON FIRST, 0 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1
LA DODGERS 0 TOP, 2ND

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: L SCOTT (.256, 14 HR, 55 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 0 1 1 2 0
LA DODGERS 0 0 0 0 (BOT 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - JASON JENNINGS
LOS - BRAD PENNY

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: J KENT (.288, 15 HR, 61 RBI)
J LONEY (.323, 5 HR, 25 RBI)
R MARTIN (.289, 12 HR, 68 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (1) VS LA DODGERS (0) - MID 2ND - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .232
M Loretta ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .261
C Lee lf 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .305
T Wigginton 3b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .333
L Scott rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .255
J Lane cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .178
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .233
J Jennings p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .087

Totals 7 1 2 1 0 3 2

BATTING: 2B - C Lee (35, B Penny). RBI - T Wigginton (5). GIDP - J Lane. Team
LOB - 0.


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .275
J Pierre cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
M Kemp rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .314
J Kent 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288
J Loney 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .323
R Martin c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .289
L Gonzalez lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .275
S Hillenbrand 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
B Penny p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 1 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (R Furcal-J Kent-J Loney).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 01 -- 1
LA DODGERS - 0 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 6.08

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Penny 2 2 1 1 0 3 0 2.56

Pitches-strikes: J Jennings 10-8; B Penny 31-21. Ground balls-fly balls: J
Jennings 1-1; B Penny 2-1. Batters faced: J Jennings 3; B Penny 7.

UMPIRES: HP--Travis Reininger. 1B--Tom Hallion. 2B--Jerry Crawford. 3B--James
Hoye.

Weather: 78 degrees, clear. Wind: 5 mph, out to center.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY RUSSELL MARTIN (13) TO LEFT WITH 2 OUT IN
THE 2ND OFF JASON JENNINGS.
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1, LA DODGERS 1

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: L GONZALEZ (.275, 11 HR, 53 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 0 1 1 2 0
LA DODGERS 0 1 1 2 0 (TOP 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - JASON JENNINGS
LOS - BRAD PENNY

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: B AUSMUS (.233, 3 HR, 22 RBI)
J JENNINGS (.087, 0 HR, 1 RBI)
C BURKE (.232, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (1) VS LA DODGERS (1) - END 2ND - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .232
M Loretta ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .261
C Lee lf 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .305
T Wigginton 3b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .333
L Scott rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .255
J Lane cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .178
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .233
J Jennings p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .087

Totals 7 1 2 1 0 3 2

BATTING: 2B - C Lee (35, B Penny). RBI - T Wigginton (5). GIDP - J Lane. Team
LOB - 0.


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .275
J Pierre cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
M Kemp rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .314
J Kent 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
J Loney 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .321
R Martin c 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .291
L Gonzalez lf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .277
S Hillenbrand 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .167
B Penny p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283

Totals 8 1 2 1 0 2 1

BATTING: 2B - L Gonzalez (21, J Jennings). HR - R Martin (13, 2nd inning off J
Jennings 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - R Martin (69). 2-out RBI - R Martin. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - S Hillenbrand 1. Team LOB - 1.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (R Furcal-J Kent-J Loney).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 01 -- 1
LA DODGERS - 01 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 2 2 1 1 0 2 1 6.11

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Penny 2 2 1 1 0 3 0 2.56

Pitches-strikes: J Jennings 29-20; B Penny 31-21. Ground balls-fly balls: J
Jennings 2-2; B Penny 2-1. Batters faced: J Jennings 8; B Penny 7.

UMPIRES: HP--Travis Reininger. 1B--Tom Hallion. 2B--Jerry Crawford. 3B--James
Hoye.

Weather: 78 degrees, clear. Wind: 5 mph, out to center.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY LANCE BERKMAN SCORED JASON JENNINGS.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, L BERKMAN ON FIRST, M LORETTA ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 2
LA DODGERS 1 TOP, 3RD

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C LEE (.305, 1-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 0 1 1 2 5 0
LA DODGERS 0 1 1 2 0 (BOT 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - JASON JENNINGS
LOS - BRAD PENNY

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: B PENNY (.283, 0 HR, 6 RBI)
R FURCAL (.275, 0-FOR-1)
J PIERRE (.284, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (2) VS LA DODGERS (1) - MID 3RD - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 .235
M Loretta ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .286
L Berkman 1b 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 .263
C Lee lf 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 .304
T Wigginton 3b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .333
L Scott rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .255
J Lane cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .178
B Ausmus c 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .235
J Jennings p 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 .083

Totals 13 2 5 2 0 3 6

BATTING: 2B - C Lee (35, B Penny). RBI - T Wigginton (5), L Berkman (73). 2-out
RBI - L Berkman. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Lee 1. GIDP - J
Lane. Team LOB - 2.


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .275
J Pierre cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
M Kemp rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .314
J Kent 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
J Loney 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .321
R Martin c 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .291
L Gonzalez lf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .277
S Hillenbrand 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .167
B Penny p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283

Totals 8 1 2 1 0 2 1

BATTING: 2B - L Gonzalez (21, J Jennings). HR - R Martin (13, 2nd inning off J
Jennings 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - R Martin (69). 2-out RBI - R Martin. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - S Hillenbrand 1. Team LOB - 1.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (R Furcal-J Kent-J Loney).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 011 -- 2
LA DODGERS - 01 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 2 2 1 1 0 2 1 6.11

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Penny 3 5 2 2 0 3 0 2.60

Pitches-strikes: J Jennings 29-20; B Penny 42-29. Ground balls-fly balls: J
Jennings 2-2; B Penny 5-1. Batters faced: J Jennings 8; B Penny 13.

UMPIRES: HP--Travis Reininger. 1B--Tom Hallion. 2B--Jerry Crawford. 3B--James
Hoye.

Weather: 78 degrees, clear. Wind: 5 mph, out to center.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 0 1 1 2 5 0
LA DODGERS 0 1 0 1 3 0 (TOP 4)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - JASON JENNINGS
LOS - BRAD PENNY

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: T WIGGINTON (.333, 1-FOR-1, RBI)
L SCOTT (.255, 0-FOR-1)
J LANE (.178, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (2) VS LA DODGERS (1) - END 3RD - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 .235
M Loretta ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .286
L Berkman 1b 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 .263
C Lee lf 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 .304
T Wigginton 3b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .333
L Scott rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .255
J Lane cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .178
B Ausmus c 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .235
J Jennings p 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 .083

Totals 13 2 5 2 0 3 6

BATTING: 2B - C Lee (35, B Penny). RBI - T Wigginton (5), L Berkman (73). 2-out
RBI - L Berkman. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Lee 1. GIDP - J
Lane. Team LOB - 2.


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .275
J Pierre cf 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .285
M Kemp rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .312
J Kent 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
J Loney 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .321
R Martin c 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .291
L Gonzalez lf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .277
S Hillenbrand 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .167
B Penny p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .277

Totals 12 1 3 1 0 3 2

BATTING: 2B - L Gonzalez (21, J Jennings). HR - R Martin (13, 2nd inning off J
Jennings 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - R Martin (69). 2-out RBI - R Martin. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - S Hillenbrand 1, M Kemp 1. Team LOB - 2.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Pierre (47, 2nd base off J Jennings/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (R Furcal-J Kent-J Loney).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 011 -- 2
LA DODGERS - 010 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 3 3 1 1 0 3 1 6.04

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Penny 3 5 2 2 0 3 0 2.60

Pitches-strikes: J Jennings 47-33; B Penny 42-29. Ground balls-fly balls: J
Jennings 3-3; B Penny 5-1. Batters faced: J Jennings 12; B Penny 13.

UMPIRES: HP--Travis Reininger. 1B--Tom Hallion. 2B--Jerry Crawford. 3B--James
Hoye.

Weather: 78 degrees, clear. Wind: 5 mph, out to center.</div>