=== Houston Astros Team Report - September 8 ===

(My Sportsbook) - The red hot Houston Astros take aim at their 12th consecutive victory today, when they look to complete a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds at Minute Maid Park.

Houston is one win away fro tying the longest winning streak in franchise history. The 1999 club won 12 in a row from September 3-14. Houston will be going for its first three-game sweep of Cincinnati in Houston since August 28-30, 2001.

The Astros have won five straight on their current six-game homestand. For the year, Houston owns a 38-33 mark at Minute Maid Park this season.

Houston will try to continue its hot streak with flame-throwing righthander Roger Clemens on the hill. Clemens has won three straight starts, including a victory over Pittsburgh. The Dayton, OH native allowed six hits and six runs over 6 2/3 innings, while fanning five and walking two in the win. Clemens leads the NL with a .789 winning percentage, while ranking third with 15 wins. He has 325 career wins, one shy of Eddie Plank for 11th place on the all-time list.

Clemens has made his first two career starts against Cincinnati this season, going 1-0 with a 5.73 ERA.

The Astros downed the Reds, 9-7, for their 19th win in 22 games on Tuesday night. Houston moved within a half-game of Chicago for the NL wild card. The Astros and Giants are tied for second.

Mike Lamb hit a two-run homer and finished with three RBI and two runs scored in the victory. Lamb is 8-for-12 with 10 RBI in the last three games.

Carlos Beltran hit a two-run homer and scored twice for the Astros in the contest. Beltran left the game in the seventh inning after getting hit on the right elbow by a pitch. The centerfielder is questionable for today's contest.

Craig Biggio, who recorded his 558th career double in the sixth, extended his hitting streak to eight games. Jeff Bagwell went 0-for-3 with a pair of walks and a run scored, as his 11-game hitting streak came to an end.

Roy Oswalt (17-9) won his NL-leading 17th game, striking out nine in 7 2/3 strong innings. Oswalt, who won his fourth straight start, was charged with four runs on six hits. The hurler improved his career record to 11-0 against Cincinnati.

Houston has won seven consecutive meetings in the 2004 series between these clubs. The Astros are 10-6 versus Cincinnati this season.