Brewers at Astros
After failing to score more than three runs in nine consecutive games, the Houston Astros broke out of their offensive doldrums Wednesday. The Astros had only eight hits but made them count in an 8-3 rout of the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Carlos Lee had his fourth consecutive multi-hit game and extended his hitting streak to five games for Houston, which goes for a two-game sweep Thursday. Among Lee's three hits was his third homer of the season, ending a drought that lasted more than three weeks and 69 at-bats.
The Brewers continued to struggle on the road, falling to 7-12 away from Miller Park. Milwaukee has been feast or famine on offense in its 14 games this month. The Brewers have scored at least six runs five times – all wins – and have been limited to three runs or fewer on nine occasions – all losses. The offense was again feeble Wednesday with five hits.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Houston
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Shaun Marcum (2-1, 3.07 ERA) vs. Astros LH J.A. Happ (2-3, 5.72)
Marcum ended a string of four straight no-decisions with his best start of the year last time out. He limited the Chicago Cubs to one run and three hits in seven innings and retired 16 of the final 18 batters. He was tagged for four runs and eight hits in five innings by the Astros last month, but did not factor in the decision. Marcum is 2-0 with a 2.52 ERA in four starts versus Houston.
Happ has lost his last two starts and surrendered two home runs in each. He squared off against Marcum last month and also did not figure in the decision, allowing four runs in five innings. Happ struck out a season-high eight in that game but was taken deep by Travis Ishikawa and Ryan Braun, the seventh and eighth homers he's allowed in only 39 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Astros snapped a six-game losing streak to the Brewers in Houston.
2. Lee is batting .524 during his five-game hitting streak
3. Jonathan Lucroy had a two-run, pinch-hit triple Wednesday. He has hit safely in 12 of 13 games and has 11 RBIs in that span.