Cubs-Astros Preview

5/21/2008 12:16 AM

By DAN PIERINGER
STATS Writer

Aramis Ramirez has provided much of the offense for the Chicago Cubs during the first two games of their series against the Houston Astros.

There's a good chance that trend will continue when he faces Astros starter Shawn Chacon in the finale of the three-game set on Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park.

Ramirez is 5-for-9 with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored in the first two games of this series, and 8-for-19 (.421) in five games against the Astros this year.

Historically, he's been even better against Chacon (0-0, 4.14 ERA). In 17 career at-bats against the right-hander, Ramirez has 10 hits, including nine for extra bases. His five home runs off Chacon are his highest total against any pitcher, and his .588 average is his highest against any pitcher he's faced more than 10 times.

Ramirez's two-run home run in the fourth inning staked the Cubs (28-18) to a 2-0 lead on Tuesday night, but the Astros (26-21) got an even bigger hit from Hunter Pence in the bottom half of the inning. The second-year outfielder hit his second career grand slam as Houston evened the series between the NL Central rivals with a 4-2 victory.

"It was definitely an important game," Astros first baseman Lance Berkman said. "We can't afford to let them go up two. We've got a chance tomorrow to win the series instead of looking at just trying to salvage a game. So as far as May games go this one's important. Also for down the road, we need to know that we can win games like this."

Pence, who had a career-high 16-game hitting streak snapped in the series opener, also had a single and a double Tuesday and has 18 RBIs while batting .361 in his last 18 games.

While Pence is still hot, Berkman has cooled off considerably. After batting .545 with eight home runs, 21 RBIs and only six strikeouts during a 17-game hitting streak, Berkman is 1-for-7 with no homers, no RBIs and five strikeouts in this series.

Chicago outfielder Alfonso Soriano has suffered a similar letdown. He won the NL Player of the Week award with a .516 (16-for-31) average and seven home runs from May 12-18, but he's hitless with five strikeouts in eight at-bats against Houston.

When asked if he's slumping, Soriano told the Cubs' official Web site, "Not really. It's more like I'm trying to do too much. You have to be relaxed. I swung at some bad pitches. I have to come back tomorrow and be more selective at home plate."

Chacon hopes Soriano's struggles continue as he tries again to get his first win of the year. His nine consecutive no-decisions to begin the season is a major league record for a starting pitcher.

That streak looked like it was coming to an end in Chacon's last outing on Friday. He gave up eight runs - five earned - in 3 1-3 innings against Texas and left trailing 8-2, but Houston rallied to tie the game to get Chacon off the hook before eventually falling 16-8.

Chacon is 1-4 with a 6.69 ERA in 15 career games against the Cubs, including 1-3 with an 8.31 ERA in five starts.

The Cubs will hand the ball to Sean Gallagher (1-0, 4.40), who got his first major-league decision in his last outing. In his second career start Friday, the right-hander held Pittsburgh to one run in six innings of a 7-4 victory. He has pitched one scoreless inning of relief against the Astros.