The Houston Astros, who are currently on a four-game skid and have dropped 11 of their last 12 games, will look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night.
Former Astro Hunter Pence continued to dominate his former team as he blasted a three-run home run over the left field wall in the Giants' 6-4 win last night. Last night's attendance of 13,027 was the smallest crowd in the history of Minute Maid Ballpark.
Jordan Lyles (3-10, 5.47), who threw six innings of one-run, three-hit baseball in a 3-1 win over the New York Mets in his last start, will take the mound and hope to right the ship for the Astros tonight.
Ryan Vogelsong (11-7, 2.90) will take the hill for the Giants. He has been the unsung hero of a strong Giants staff this season, but he has struggled in the month of August, posting a 6.39 ERA and allowing an .841 opponents OPS.
- Jose Altuve (R) 2B
- Tyler Greene (R) SS
- Brett Wallace (L) 1B
- Jason Castro (L) C
- Jimmy Paredes (S) RF
- Fernando Martinez (L) LF
- Matt Dominguez (R) 3B
- Brian Bogusevic (L) C
- Jordan Lyles (R) P
San Francisco Giants
- Angel Pagan (S) CF
- Marco Scutaro (R) 2B
- Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
- Buster Posey (R) C
- Hunter Pence (R) RF
- Brandon Belt (L) 1B
- Gregor Blanco (L) LF
- Brandon Crawford (L) SS
- Ryan Vogelsong (R) P
The release of the Astros lineup was delayed a couple of hours as the team checked the status of right fielder Ben Francisco's right wrist. He was held out of action in last last night's game and won't play tonight. Jimmy Paredes will get the nod in right field.
Astros withhold lineup to check out Ben Francisco's right wrist during BP. Milo hates lineup delays. He says Lasorda was the worst at that.
— David Barron (@dfbarron) August 30, 2012
Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. CDT and can be watched for free on MLB.tv.
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