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(Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Phillies will try to win the second straight series of their current nine-game homestand this afternoon, as they wrap up a three-game set with the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park.

Philadelphia began its residency by taking two out of three from the Chicago Cubs, and then won the opener of its current series with the Astros on Tuesday. However, Houston posted a 2-1 win on Wednesday to make today's test a rubber match.

Roy Oswalt (1-3) was sensational on the mound, throwing seven innings of one- run ball. Oswalt lost his first three starts of the season for the first time in his eight-year career, but allowed just a first-inning run en route to the victory.

Doug Brocail came on in the ninth and preserved the win for his first save of the season. He was called on to finish things after regular closer Jose Valverde blew a three-run lead in the ninth on Tuesday.

Former Phillie Michael Bourne homered, stole a base and scored Houston's two runs, and the Astros won their third game in four tries. Bourne was acquired from Philadelphia in the deal that sent Brad Lidge to the Phils. Carlos Lee had an RBI in the victory.

Kyle Kendrick (1-2) was the hard-luck loser, surrendering two runs on just four hits and one walk while striking out five for Philadelphia, which fell to 3-2 on its current homestand.

Pat Burrell was 2-for-4 at the plate, and Ryan Howard tallied the Phillies' only RBI. Jimmy Rollins, who hasn't started since April 8 due to a sprained left ankle, had a pinch-hit single in the ninth, but was immediately removed for a pinch runner.

Rollins won't play until at least Saturday now, as he will be away from the team for the next two days to attend a funeral for an uncle in Oakland.

Phillies ace Brett Myers will try to build off his first win of 2008 today. Myers, who spent the majority of last year as Philadelphia's closer, defeated the Cubs on Friday after holding them to three runs on five hits in eight innings. He struck out five, but also yielded three homers, giving him five long balls allowed through his three starts.

Myers, who has a 5.00 earned run average, is 2-2 in six career starts against the Astros, with the 27-year-old right-hander posting a 5.59 ERA against them. His last start against them came on April 13 of last year, and he allowed seven runs in 3 1/3 frames in his final outing before becoming the closer due to injury.

Lee has three hits, two homers and five RBI in five career at-bats against Myers, though Lance Berkman has struggled to a .143 average (2-for-14) against him with a home run and three RBI.

Brandon Backe continues what has been a successful return from Tommy John surgery today for Houston. Backe missed most of 2007 while recovering from the procedure, returning to make five September starts and winning the last three.

The right-hander has been solid so far this season, as he hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his three starts, going 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA. Backe earned his first win of this year on Saturday, tossing five shutout frames that saw him dance around five hits and five walks.

Backe, who has walked 11 batters while fanning 12 in 16 innings, has made just one career start against the Phillies. The 30-year-old got a no decision in that September 7, 2005 outing after giving up three runs on three hits in four innings of work.

These two clubs split six matchups last year, but Houston has won seven of its last 11 in Philadelphia.