Rip the Reds!

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http://espn.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/med/trans/hou.gif VS. http://espn.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/med/trans/cin.gif

June 30-July 3 ... Cincinnati, Ohio
Marge Schott Memorial Park & Kennel

PITCHING MATCHUPS
THU: Brandon Backe (6-6, 5.31) vs. Eric Milton (3-9, 7.70)
FRI: Andy Pettitte (4-7, 3.25) vs. Luke Hudson (1-2, 8.35)
SAT: Wandy Rodriguez (3-3, 6.86) vs. Aaron Harang (4-6, 4.11)
SUN: Roger Clemens (6-3, 1.50) vs. Brandon Claussen (4-5, 3.97)

GO ASTROS!

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Alyson Footer / MLB.com (http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050629&content_id=1108480&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou)

The Houston Astros will resume National League Central competition Thursday when they begin a four-game set with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Astros haven't played a division foe since a game on June 5 against the St. Louis Cardinals. The series with the Reds marks their last with an NL Central team until after the All-Star break.

The Astros have had considerable luck with the Reds so far this year, beating them six times in nine meetings. The Astros haven't played in Cincinnati since the middle of April, when they lost two of three to the Reds.

Brandon Backe will face the Reds for the third time this year when he takes the mound Thursday. The right-hander has struggled lately, having allowed 18 earned runs over his last three starts.

Backe is 3-0 with a 2.93 ERA in eight career outings (four starts) versus Cincinnati. He is 1-0 with a 3.68 ERA over three games (one start) at Great American Ball Park.

Player to watch
Against Backe, Rich Aurilia is 1-for-5, Sean Casey is 6-for-12, Jacob Cruz is 2-for-2, Adam Dunn is 0-for-11, Ryan Freel is 2-for-13, Jason LaRue is 3-for-7, Luis Lopez is 0-for-1, Felipe Lopez is 1-for-6, Wily Mo Pena is 0-for-3, Joe Randa is 0-for-1, Jason Romano is 0-for-1 and Javier Valentin is 1-for-2.

Against Milton, Brad Ausmus is 8-for-25, Lance Berkman is 0-for-3, Craig Biggio is 4-for-20, Eric Bruntlett is 0-for-2, Chris Burke is 2-for-5, Raul Chavez is 1-for-2, Morgan Ensberg is 4-for-8, Adam Everett is 0-for-5, Mike Lamb is 0-for-5, Jason Lane is 0-for-5, Orlando Palmeiro is 1-for-5, Willy Taveras is 0-for-4 and Jose Vizcaino is 1-for-7.

Quotable
"It shows you've been a tough guy for a long time when you've been hit 268 times. " -- Phil Garner, on Biggio breaking the hit-by-pitch record

Quick hits
Biggio knocked his 10th homer on Wednesday and now has 12 seasons during which he has recorded double digits in homers. Only Jeff Bagwell has more double-digit homer seasons in franchise history with 14. ... Ensberg has 28 RBIs in June and is one away from tying the club record of 29 RBIs in June, set by Jose Cruz in 1984. ... Ensberg's 20 homers ties the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez for the Major League lead among third basemen. Ensberg's homer total is the most in the first half for an Astro since Berkman set the club record with 29 in 2002.

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Your game is in rain delay, so they're showing the O's/Indians on ESPN! I'm happy watching my O's, but I know that rain delays suck, so my condolences to you while it lasts.

:(

:D

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Hey, I've been watching the O's and Tribe here on ESPN waiting for the delay to lift shortly for 'Stros on FSN. It was nice to get an AL game that didn't involve either the Rangers, Yankees or Red Sox.

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..........It was nice to get an AL game that didn't involve either the Rangers, Yankees or Red Sox.

Agreed!!

Too bad my guys lost. :( But it was a nice chance to see them play someone other than the Yankees or the Red Sox.