(Sports Network) - Wandy Rodriguez hopes to build on the success he had against the Brewers last season as he pitches for the Astros this afternoon in the finale of a three-game series at Miller Park.
Rodriguez posted a 2-0 mark with a 0.84 ERA in three starts against Milwaukee in 2010. He's 7-6 with a 3.94 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) lifetime vs. the Brewers.
The southpaw has pitched well against Milwaukee in the past, but this season he's struggled at times when facing other teams. He limited the Mets to three hits and a run over seven frames in a Tuesday outing, but in losses to the Cubs and Phillies, Rodriguez has been pounded for a total of 18 hits and 12 runs over nine innings.
Pitching this afternoon for the Brewers will be fellow lefty Randy Wolf, who has been spectacular in his last two starts. He's thrown shutout ball in those two games - road wins against Philadelphia and Pittsburgh - covering a total of 12 2/3 innings. During that time he's fanned 15 batters and walked five.
Over his career against the Astros, Wolf has compiled a 6-5 mark with a 3.44 ERA in 16 starts.
On Saturday, Humberto Quintero's two-run, ground-rule double in the 10th inning lifted the Astros to a 9-6 victory. Brandon Lyon (1-1) earned the win, despite blowing a save opportunity. He threw two innings and allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out one to give Houston its fifth win in the last nine games.
"That was quite a game. There's no doubt about that. A lot of improbable things happened," said Astros manager Brad Mills.
Sean Green (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk in two-thirds of an inning, handing Milwaukee its second loss in the past three games.
Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence homered for Houston, which snapped a two-game skid.
Prince Fielder had three hits and two RBI for Milwaukee, which also received a pair of hits and three runs batted in for Ryan Braun. He homered Saturday and has reached base safely in 20 straight games.
Houston and Milwaukee are meeting for the first time since the Astros won eight of 15 matchups with their NL Central rivals a season ago.