(My Sportsbook) - The Houston Astros continue their nine-game homestand this afternoon as they play the rubber match of their three-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies at Minute Maid Park.

On Saturday the Astros dropped the second game of the series, as Placido Polanco finished 3-for-5 with a homer and three runs scored to lead Philadelphia to a 9-4 .

Morgan Ensberg ended 3-for-3 and walked twice to reach base five times for Houston, which lost for just the second time in seven games. The Astros had won eight straight home games before Saturday, and are trying to win four straight home series for the first time all season.

Houston will hand the ball today to 25-year-old righthander Tim Redding, who is 3-2 on the season with a 3.32 ERA. The Astros have won Redding's last five starts, but Redding is without a decision in his last two. In his last start Redding allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings, as his team claimed a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Redding has made two career starts against the Phillies in his career, and is 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA.

On the milestone watch, Houston closer Billy Wagner is one save away from tying Mitch Williams for fifth place on the all-time saves list for lefthanders.

Saturday's game featured six double plays turned by the Astros, the most for them since they had six against Montreal on May 8, 1988.

The Astros have won five of their last six at home over the Phillies, outscoring Philadelphia 43-23 in that span.