(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers will try for a series split with the Houston Astros this evening in the finale of a four-game series at Chavez Ravine.
Los Angeles lost the first two tests of this series before halting a four-game slide with Wednesday's 6-3 triumph. Russell Martin led the way with a pair of home runs and three RBI for Los Angeles, which sits 3 1/2 games off the NL wild card lead. Juan Pierre added three hits, two runs scored and drove in a run, while Matt Kemp went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for LA.
Brad Penny, who started the season 13-1, finally earned win No. 14 despite allowing three runs and 10 hits in six innings of work. Penny also struck out six and walked one batter.
Derek Lowe hasn't won since June 22 against Tampa Bay and will take the ball for the Dodgers this evening. Lowe is 0-5 over his last nine starts and has dropped back-to-back outings, including an August 11 performance against St. Louis in which he yielded five runs -- three earned -- over six innings of a 6-1 loss at Busch Stadium.
The right-hander, who has lost three straight starts at Dodger Stadium, is 1-2 with a 2.70 earned run average in five career starts against Houston. Lowe gave up one run in four innings of a 2-1 loss to the Astros on July 25 this season at Minute Maid Park.
Houston starter Jason Jennings held the Dodgers to one run entering the sixth last night but eventually permitted seven hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings for the loss. Ty Wigginton went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Astros, who saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
Toeing the rubber for the 'Stros tonight will be Wandy Rodriguez, who is 7-10 with a 4.34 ERA in 23 starts this season. Rodriguez is just 1-3 in his previous six starts and did not factor in the outcome in a loss against Milwaukee on August 11.
Rodriguez held the Brewers to one run and six hits in seven innings during a 7-4 setback at Minute Maid Park. The left-hander, who is only 1-8 in 11 away starts this season, owns a 2-0 record with a 1.84 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Dodgers.
These two clubs met in Houston from July 23-25 of this season, with the Astros winning two of three. LA and Houston split six meetings last year.
