=== Houston Astros Team Report - August 3 ===

(My Sportsbook) - The Astros will attempt maintain a grasp on first place in the Central, when they close out their three-game series with the Florida Marlins today.

Houston dropped a 5-2 decision to the Marlins on Saturday. With the defeat, Houston saw its lead in the Central dwindle to just one game over St. Louis.

The loss was the fourth in six games for Houston, which managed just three hits in the loss. All three of the Astros' hits came in the two-run sixth.

Lance Berkman extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a double in the sixth inning Saturday. Berkman is hitting .395 (15-for-38) during the streak. Berkman already posted an 18-game hit streak this season, accomplished from May 24-June 12, during which he was 26-for-69 (.377).

Houston has won eight of its last 13 road contests and is 26-31 outside Minute Maid Park this year.

Jeriome Robertson (10-5) was touched for five runs on six hits in four-plus innings of work for the Astros on Saturday. Robertson walked three and struck out two in his second- straight tough outing. The 26-year-old lefthander has dropped his last two starts after winning his previous six outings.

Houston will look to an unlikely source for a much-needed win today, as 31- year-old knuckleballer Jared Fernandez will head to the hill. Fernandez will be making his Houston debut after having his contract purchased from Triple-A New Orleans on Friday. For the year, Fernandez was 7-10 with a 3.81 ERA in New Orleans.

Fernandez, who spent the past two seasons toiling in the Cincinnati organization, has never faced the Marlins.

The Astros swept a three-game set from the Marlins at Minute Maid Park May 2-4. Houston has won six of the last eight meetings.