Rockies, Astros set for two on Memorial Day

The Colorado Rockies begin a four-game series versus the Houston Astros this afternoon with a rare scheduled doubleheader at Coors Field.

Colorado returns home after a miserable road trip that saw it go 2-4 after a 7-5 loss in Cincinnati on Sunday. The Rockies managed to hit five solo home runs in defeat, but unfortunately, Colorado starter Jamie Moyer surrendered four longballs, as the Rockies fell for the 17th time in their last 22 games overall.

"I don't think I've managed a game in 11 years where nine home runs were hit," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said.

Hoping to change their fortunes in game one the Rockies will hand the ball to righty Juan Nicasio, who had one of his worst outings of the season his last time out. Nicasio lost to Miami on Tuesday, allowing six runs (five earned) and nine hits in five innings to drop him to 2-2 to go along with a 4.83 ERA.

Nicasio did not get a decision to the Astros earlier in the year, but pitched well, as he gave up just a run in seven innings.

Getting the call in the second game will be righty Alex White, who picked up his first win of the year his last time out. White beat the Marlins, but was not particularly sharp, as he allowed four runs in six innings. Still, he improved to 1-3 to go along with a 5.32 ERA.

He has faced the Astros twice and is 0-1 against them with an 8.44 ERA.

Houston, meanwhile, came back to earth a bit this weekend, as it dropped two of three to the major league-best Los Angeles Dodgers, including a 5-1 setback in Sunday's finale at Dodger Stadium.

J.A. Happ (3-4) struck out a career-high 10 Dodgers and gave up three runs (two earned) in 6 1/3 in the loss.

"That's a first-place team over there," Happ said. "It's frustrating because I wanted to help win this series but we came a little short."

The Astros managed just two hits in Sunday's loss, as the final seven spots went a combined 0-for-20.

Wandy Rodriguez will take the ball in the first game for the Astros, as he tries to improve upon a 4-4 mark. Rodriguez was brilliant on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs, as he allowed a run and eight hits in seven innings to drop his ERA to an impressive 2.14.

Rodriguez is 4-3 lifetime versus the Rockies with a 4.01 ERA in 12 starts.

Getting the call in the nightcap will be 22-year-old righty Jordan Lyles, who will be recalled from Triple-A to make the start. Lyles has appeared in three games for the Astros this season and is 0-1 with a 5.29 ERA.

This will be his first-ever start against the Rockies.

Houston took two of three from Colorado earlier in the year after the Rockies won last year's season series, 5-2.