=== Houston Astros Team Report - August 16 ===

(My Sportsbook) - The Houston Astros try to avoid a season-high, five-game losing streak today when they battle the Cincinnati Reds in the middle contest of their three-game series at Great American Ball Park.

Houston matched its longest slide of the season on Friday by dropping a 9-7 decision to the Reds in 10 innings in the series opener. Adam Dunn hit a two- run homer in the bottom of the 10th to lift the Reds to the win.

With the setback, Houston fell to one-half game behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the NL Central race.

Dunn pounded his 27th homer of the year with one out in the 10th. D'Angelo Jimenez led off the frame with a single and advanced to second on a balk. After Wily Mo Pena struck out, Dunn jumped on a 1-1 pitch, sending it out over the right-field wall.

Brad Lidge (4-3) surrendered Dunn's homer and took the loss.

Jeff Kent homered and had two RBI and Craig Biggio hit a three-run homer for the Astros.

Taking the hill for the Astros today is their hottest pitcher -- Wade Miller. The righthander has won his last two starts and four of his past five decisions.

Most recently, Miller record the victory against the Cubs on Monday, as he allowed just one run on five hits in six frames. He also struck out nine and walked two.

Miller is 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA in two starts against Cincinnati this season. He is unbeaten is 10 career starts versus the Reds, going 5-0 with a 3.92 ERA.

Kent is riding a 10-game hitting streak, batting .300 (12-for-40) during the span.