PA SPORTSTICKER NL PREVIEW
  (HOUSTON-SAN FRANCISCO)



*Giants LHP Zito looks to avoid 0-8 start*
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Houston (21-17) at San Francisco (16-22)  10:15 pm EDT


SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) - Barry Zito takes the hill once again in
search of his first win of the season.


Zito will try to guide the San Francisco Giants to their third
straight victory when they host the Houston Astros in the opener
of a four-game series on Monday.


In his first start since the Giants recalled him from the
bullpen, the 30-year-old Zito (0-7, 6.95 ERA) allowed two runs
and five hits with five strikeouts in a 3-1 setback at
Pittsburgh on Wednesday.


"It was time to refocus," Zito said. "I think it helped me in
that aspect. I felt good out there and I'm excited to get back
out there in five days."


The former American League Cy Young Award winner has some
success against Houston, yielding one run and four hits in seven
innings in his last start in the series on May 23.


Roy Oswalt (3-3, 5.33) takes the ball for the Astros, who enter
after a weekend sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers.


Last time out, Oswalt gave up three runs and six hits with
season-best nine strikeouts over seven frames, but was unable to
register a decision in Houston's 4-3 win over Washington.


The hard-throwing righthander hasn't fared well against the
Giants, posting a 2-5 record with a 4.07 ERA in 10 career
starts.