Los Angeles @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2010 ) LA Dodgers 6, Houston 3

The Los Angeles Dodgers are now doing something they've been unable to accomplish lately. They're finding ways to win.

The Dodgers try for their third straight win Sunday when they take on the Houston Astros in the finale of their four-game series at Minute Maid Park.

Los Angeles saw its losing streak reach six games with a 3-2 setback in the series opener on Thursday. But Jay Gibbons hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning on Friday to lead the Dodgers to a 4-2 victory, and a miscue by Houston in the ninth inning Saturday helped give Los Angeles its second straight triumph.

Brandon Lyon began the ninth by walking pinch-hitter Trent Oeltjen and allowing a bunt single by Reed Johnson that Astros first baseman Brett Wallace argued went foul before he picked up the ball. A.J. Ellis followed with another bunt that was fielded by Lyon, whose throw to first sailed into right field, allowing two runs to score.

Pinch-hitter James Loney greeted Tim Byrdak with an RBI double, giving the Dodgers a 6-3 lead. Hong-Chih Kuo sealed the win with a scoreless bottom of the ninth.

Los Angeles goes for its third consecutive win behind Carlos Monasterios, who will start in place of Vicente Padilla. The 32-year old Padilla was scratched due to a bulging disk in his neck and is unlikely to pitch again this season.

Monasterios will be making his 12th start of the year and first since August 31, when he was tagged for five runs and five hits in just two innings of an 8-4 loss to Philadelphia. Sunday marks the 24-year old's fourth straight appearance as a starter after three relief outings.

Monasterios has gone 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 13 games – including four starts – on the road. He has lost each of his last five decisions, all as a starter.

Getting the call for the Astros is Nelson Figueroa, who is 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA in five starts with Houston and has won two in a row. He yielded three runs and six hits over five innings Tuesday en route to a 7-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Figueroa, who is 3-1 overall as an Astro, owns a 1-1 record and 6.60 ERA in three career starts against the Dodgers. The 36-year old has not faced Los Angeles since June 8, 2008, when he suffered a loss while with the New York Mets after giving up five runs – three earned – in five innings.

The Astros have lost two in a row at home after winning five straight at Minute Maid Park.

With a win, Los Angeles will claim its first series victory since sweeping a three-game set against the Brewers in Milwaukee from August 2-26. The Dodgers are 2-4 on their season-high 10-game road trip.