GAME THREAD: NL: HOUSTON (53-65) at LA DODGERS (60-58)

NL: HOUSTON (53-65) at LA DODGERS (60-58)

<h3>Astros aim to keep struggling Dodgers down</h3>

<div class="pre">Houston (53-65) at LA Dodgers (60-58) 10:10 pm EDT</div>

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Winners of six of their last eight games,the Houston Astros look to extend the offensive woes of the LosAngeles Dodgers as the teams continue their four-game series onTuesday.


The Astros used the right arm of ace Roy Oswalt in Monday'sopener, holding the Dodgers to one run over eight frames in a4-1 win. It marked the ninth time in its last 11 games that LosAngeles has scored two runs or less, a stretch that has led toa 2-9 record over that span.


Hoping to extend the Dodgers' misery will be rookie Matt Albers(2-5, 6.20 ERA), who despite coming out of the bullpen for mostof the season will be facing Los Angeles for the second time inhis last three starts.


He has made two relief appearances since his last start onAugust 5, allowing a run and four hits in two frames. Therighthander faced the Dodgers for the first time on June 25,yielding just three hits over five scoreless frames but did notfactor into the decision of a 2-1 win.


Brett Tomko (2-9, 5.49) will look to put an end to his four-gamewinless streak. In Thursday's 5-4 win over the Reds in 11innings, he allowed three runs and six hits over six innings.

The righthander hopes to improve his average track recordagainst the Astros, going 5-5 with a 4.55 ERA in 14 starts.

 

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 .229 4 19 Rafael Furcal SS .278 5 39
Mark Loretta SS .285 2 30 Juan Pierre CF .283 0 27
Lance Berkman 1B .262 21 72 Matt Kemp RF .311 6 23
Carlos Lee LF .302 24 95 Jeff Kent 2B .288 15 60
Luke Scott RF .255 14 54 James Loney 1B .324 5 25
Mike Lamb 3B .296 11 34 Russell Martin C .292 12 68
Jason Lane CF .175 8 23 Andre Ethier LF .299 9 47
Eric Munson C .269 4 12 Shea Hillenbrand 3B .000 0 0
Matt Albers RHP .154 0 0 Brett Tomko RHP .000 0 1
(2-5, 6.20) (2-9, 5.49)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS
WARMUPS: HOU - MATT ALBERS (2-5, 6.20)
LOS - BRETT TOMKO (2-9, 5.49)

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

WEATHER: 85 Degrees, partly cloudy
WIND: 3 mph, out to left</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS
STARTING BATS: HOU - MATT ALBERS AND ERIC MUNSON
LOS - BRETT TOMKO AND RUSSELL MARTIN

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C BURKE (.229, 4 HR, 19 RBI)
M LORETTA (.285, 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 1 0
LA DODGERS 0 0 0 (BOT 1)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - MATT ALBERS
LOS - BRETT TOMKO

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: R FURCAL (.278, 5 HR, 39 RBI)
J PIERRE (.283, 0 HR, 27 RBI)
M KEMP (.311, 6 HR, 23 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 0 0 .228
M Loretta ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .287
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .302
L Scott rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .255
M Lamb 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .296
J Lane cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .175
E Munson c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .269
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .154

Totals 4 0 1 0 1 1 3

BATTING: 3B - M Loretta (3, B Tomko). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
L Scott 1. Team LOB - 2.


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .278
J Pierre cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283
M Kemp rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .311
J Kent 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288
J Loney 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .324
R Martin c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .292
A Ethier lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .299
S Hillenbrand 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Tomko p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

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
M Albers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.20

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Tomko 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 5.44

Pitches-strikes: B Tomko 18-10. Ground balls-fly balls: B Tomko 0-2. Batters
faced: B Tomko 5.

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

Weather: 85 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 3 mph, out to left.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS
CONFIRMED STARTERS: HOU - MATT ALBERS
LOS - BRETT TOMKO</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY MATT KEMP (7) TO CENTER WITH 2 OUT IN THE
1ST OFF MATT ALBERS.
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 0, LA DODGERS 1

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: J KENT (.288, 15 HR, 60 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 1 0
LA DODGERS 1 1 1 0 (TOP 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - MATT ALBERS
LOS - BRETT TOMKO

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M LAMB (.296, 11 HR, 34 RBI)
J LANE (.175, 8 HR, 23 RBI)
E MUNSON (.269, 4 HR, 12 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

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

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .228
M Loretta ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .287
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .302
L Scott rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .255
M Lamb 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .296
J Lane cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .175
E Munson c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .269
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .154

Totals 4 0 1 0 1 1 3

BATTING: 3B - M Loretta (3, B Tomko). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
L Scott 1. Team LOB - 2.


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .277
J Pierre cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .282
M Kemp rf 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .315
J Kent 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288
J Loney 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .324
R Martin c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .292
A Ethier lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .299
S Hillenbrand 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Tomko p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 4 1 1 1 0 0 0

BATTING: HR - M Kemp (7, 1st inning off M Albers 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - M Kemp
(24). 2-out RBI - M Kemp. Team LOB - 0.


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

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
M Albers 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 6.24

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Tomko 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 5.44

Pitches-strikes: M Albers 18-11; B Tomko 18-10. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Albers 3-0; B Tomko 0-2. Batters faced: M Albers 4; B Tomko 5.

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

Weather: 85 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 3 mph, out to left.</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 1 0
LA DODGERS 1 1 1 0 (BOT 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - MATT ALBERS
LOS - BRETT TOMKO

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: J LONEY (.324, 5 HR, 25 RBI)
R MARTIN (.292, 12 HR, 68 RBI)
A ETHIER (.299, 9 HR, 47 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

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

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .228
M Loretta ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .287
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .302
L Scott rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .255
M Lamb 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
J Lane cf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .175
E Munson c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .266
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .154

Totals 6 0 1 0 2 1 4

BATTING: 3B - M Loretta (3, B Tomko). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
L Scott 1. GIDP - E Munson. Team LOB - 2.


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .277
J Pierre cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .282
M Kemp rf 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .315
J Kent 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288
J Loney 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .324
R Martin c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .292
A Ethier lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .299
S Hillenbrand 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Tomko p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 4 1 1 1 0 0 0

BATTING: HR - M Kemp (7, 1st inning off M Albers 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - M Kemp
(24). 2-out RBI - M Kemp. Team LOB - 0.

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


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 00 -- 0
LA DODGERS - 1 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
M Albers 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 6.24

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Tomko 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 5.38

Pitches-strikes: M Albers 18-11; B Tomko 28-14. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Albers 3-0; B Tomko 3-2. Batters faced: M Albers 4; B Tomko 8.

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

Weather: 85 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 3 mph, out to left.</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 1 0
LA DODGERS 1 0 1 1 1 (TOP 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - MATT ALBERS
LOS - BRETT TOMKO

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M ALBERS (.154, 0 HR, 0 RBI)
C BURKE (.228, 0-FOR-1)
M LORETTA (.287, 1-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (0) 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 0 0 .228
M Loretta ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .287
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .302
L Scott rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .255
M Lamb 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
J Lane cf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .175
E Munson c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .266
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .154

Totals 6 0 1 0 2 1 4

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - L Scott 1. GIDP - E Munson.
Team LOB - 2.


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .277
J Pierre cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .282
M Kemp rf 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .315
J Kent 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288
J Loney 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .322
R Martin c 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .292
A Ethier lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .298
S Hillenbrand 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Tomko p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 7 1 1 1 0 1 0

BATTING: HR - M Kemp (7, 1st inning off M Albers 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - M Kemp
(24). 2-out RBI - M Kemp. Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: E - M Kemp (3, bobble). DP: 1 (J Loney-R Furcal-J Loney).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 00 -- 0
LA DODGERS - 10 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
M Albers 2 1 1 1 0 1 1 6.14

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Tomko 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 5.38

Pitches-strikes: M Albers 29-19; B Tomko 28-14. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Albers 5-0; B Tomko 3-2. Batters faced: M Albers 7; B Tomko 8.

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

Weather: 85 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 3 mph, out to left.</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 1 0
LA DODGERS 1 0 1 1 1 (BOT 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - MATT ALBERS
LOS - BRETT TOMKO

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: S HILLENBRAND (.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI)
B TOMKO (.000, 0 HR, 1 RBI)
R FURCAL (.277, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (0) VS LA DODGERS (1) - MID 3RD - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227
M Loretta ss 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .287
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .302
L Scott rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .255
M Lamb 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
J Lane cf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .175
E Munson c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .266
M Albers p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .143

Totals 9 0 1 0 2 2 4

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - L Scott 1. GIDP - E Munson.
Team LOB - 2.


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .277
J Pierre cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .282
M Kemp rf 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .315
J Kent 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288
J Loney 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .322
R Martin c 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .292
A Ethier lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .298
S Hillenbrand 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Tomko p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 7 1 1 1 0 1 0

BATTING: HR - M Kemp (7, 1st inning off M Albers 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - M Kemp
(24). 2-out RBI - M Kemp. Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: E - M Kemp (3, bobble). DP: 1 (J Loney-R Furcal-J Loney).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 000 -- 0
LA DODGERS - 10 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
M Albers 2 1 1 1 0 1 1 6.14

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Tomko 3 1 0 0 2 2 0 5.33

Pitches-strikes: M Albers 29-19; B Tomko 42-23. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Albers 5-0; B Tomko 4-3. Batters faced: M Albers 7; B Tomko 11.

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

Weather: 85 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 3 mph, out to left.</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 1 0
LA DODGERS 1 0 0 1 1 1 (TOP 4)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - MATT ALBERS
LOS - BRETT TOMKO

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: L BERKMAN (.261, 0-FOR-1)
C LEE (.302, 0-FOR-0, BB)
L SCOTT (.255, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (0) VS LA DODGERS (1) - END 3RD - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227
M Loretta ss 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .287
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .302
L Scott rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .255
M Lamb 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
J Lane cf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .175
E Munson c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .266
M Albers p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .143

Totals 9 0 1 0 2 2 4

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - L Scott 1. GIDP - E Munson.
Team LOB - 2.


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .277
J Pierre cf 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .282
M Kemp rf 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .315
J Kent 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288
J Loney 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .322
R Martin c 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .292
A Ethier lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .298
S Hillenbrand 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Tomko p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 10 1 1 1 1 1 1

BATTING: HR - M Kemp (7, 1st inning off M Albers 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - M Kemp
(24). 2-out RBI - M Kemp. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Pierre 1.
Team LOB - 1.

BASERUNNING: SB - R Furcal (13, 2nd base off M Albers/E Munson).

FIELDING: E - M Kemp (3, bobble). DP: 1 (J Loney-R Furcal-J Loney).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 000 -- 0
LA DODGERS - 100 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
M Albers 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 6.05

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Tomko 3 1 0 0 2 2 0 5.33

Pitches-strikes: M Albers 45-28; B Tomko 42-23. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Albers 8-0; B Tomko 4-3. Batters faced: M Albers 11; B Tomko 11.

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

Weather: 85 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 3 mph, out to left.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS - SCORING UPDATE
FIELDER'S CHOICE BY MIKE LAMB SCORED LANCE BERKMAN.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M LAMB ON FIRST, C LEE ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1
LA DODGERS 1 TOP, 4TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: J LANE (.175, 0-FOR-0, BB)</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 1 1 3 0
LA DODGERS 1 0 0 1 1 1 (BOT 4)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - MATT ALBERS
LOS - BRETT TOMKO

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: M KEMP (.315, 1-FOR-1, HR, RBI)
J KENT (.288, 0-FOR-1)
J LONEY (.322, 0-FOR-1)</div>