=== Houston Astros Team Report - June 2 ===

(My Sportsbook) - Thanks to their persistence and solid play, the Astros have been able to climb their way into contention in the NL Central. Houston has pulled within one game of first place Chicago after winning two of three over the weekend at Wrigley Field.

The Astros finished up a stretch of 13 games against the Cubs and Cardinals with a 7-6 record.

Houston closed out the set with an impressive 9-3 victory on Sunday. Lance Berkman homered and drove in three runs to lead the Astros to the win. Berkman has hit safely in nine straight games, slapping a pair of hits in four of those contests.

During the hot stretch, Berkman has tallied three homers and nine RBI. Berkman is second on the Astros with 32 RBI. Jeff Kent leads Houston in RBI with 39 on the season. Kent finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored on Sunday.

Jeriome Robertson (4-3) won his third straight start, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out three and walking none over six innings. The 26- year-old lefthander picked up his first career victory in a day game, as he entered the contest with an 0-3 record and an 8.40 ERA in seven previous appearances -- three starts -- in daylight action.

The Astros must shift their focus to interleague play now with the Baltimore Orioles coming to town on Tuesday. Houston has posted a 46-40 mark all-time in interleague action. The Astros will be facing the Orioles for the first time in their history.

Houston will pin its hopes on 25-year-old righthander Tim Redding in the series opener. Redding is winless (0-2) in his last five starts, including a no-decision versus St. Louis last week. The Rochester, NY native surrendered only seven hits and one run over 5 2/3 innings against the Cardinals. He struck out three and walked two in the contest.

Redding has not faced the Orioles in his career. The hurler is just 1-3 with a 3.58 ERA in three home starts this season.