Tue Jul 1 11:19:22 2008

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Berkman leads 'Stros in second test with LA

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(Sports Network) - Don't be alarmed, but Lance Berkman's numbers for June were down a bit. That will happen when you hit .471 in May. Berkman will continue to make his All-Star case tonight when he leads the Houston Astros against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second portion of a four-game series at Minute Maid Park.

After an incredible May, Berkman slowed down a bit in June. He still hit .319 for the month with five homers and 21 RBI, and carries a seven-game hitting streak into tonight's game. Berkman is batting .480 (12-for-25) over his run with two homers, eight RBI and six runs scored.

Berkman, the current leader in votes at first base for the NL All-Star team, extended his streak with a home run in the first inning of Monday's 4-1 victory over the Dodgers, the 12th of his career against Los Angeles in 55 games versus the club.

It wasn't all good for the Astros, though, as starter Roy Oswalt left after six innings of work due to a strained right hip. He allowed just one run on six hits with no walks and nine strikeouts before exiting.

Brad Ausmus added a two-run single for Houston, which has won three straight and improved to 5-2 on its current 10-game homestand. The Astros will try to win four straight for the first time since May 9-12.

Houston's Berkman-led offense will try to reward Wandy Rodriguez tonight for his solid work this season, something the Astros have had trouble doing all season. Despite a 2.58 earned run average this year, Rodriguez is just 3-3.

The left-hander is coming off a victory, though, as he defeated Texas on Thursday behind eight innings of one-run ball. He also gave up five hits and no walks while striking out a career-high tying nine. Rodriguez has allowed fewer than three earned runs in seven of his 10 starts this year.

The 29-year-old has shined in front of the home crowds, as he has a 2.64 ERA at home over the past two seasons, including a 1.89 ERA this year. He is 2-1 with a 2.29 ERA in four games, including three starts, lifetime versus LA.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, played last night's game without Juan Pierre, who landed on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his career after suffering a sprained MCL in Sunday's test versus the Angels. Delwyn Young started in his place in left, while Jason Repko, recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas before the game, batted in the leadoff spot.

James Loney was 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Andre Ethier doubled and scored a run for Los Angeles, which dropped its second in a row.

Clayton Kershaw makes his eighth career start for the Dodgers tonight. The 20- year-old has had trouble with his command so far in his rookie campaign, issuing 22 walks over 33 innings. Kershaw lost to the White Sox on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and four walks in four frames of work.

That loss dropped the lefty to 0-2 with a 4.36 ERA. He has never faced Houston.

The Astros swept a three-game set from the Dodgers in Los Angeles from May 9-11 and have now won eight of the last 10 meetings between the teams. Los Angeles is just 2-8 at Minute Maid Park since 2005.