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Chicago Cubs (29-27) at Houston Astros (26-31), 2:05 p.m.

Sports Network | June 11, 2009

(Sports Network) - Veteran right-hander Russ Ortiz faces the Chicago Cubs for the third time this season and the 13th time in his career today when the Houston Astros play host for the third and final game of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.

Ortiz, who turned 35 last week and will be making his 297th big-league appearance, dropped an 8-5 verdict to the Cubs on May 7 in Houston after allowing six hits and three runs over just 2 1/3 innings.

He was touched for four hits and three runs in three innings against them on April 8, his first appearance of the season.

Lifetime against Chicago, he is 3-5 in 12 games (10 starts) with a 5.71 earned run average in 58 1/3 innings.

Overall, Ortiz is unbeaten since May 19, winning one relief decision in five games since while allowing 10 hits in 12 1/3 scoreless innings.

For the Cubs, right-hander Ryan Dempster can address an ugly career win-loss record against Houston.

Primarily a reliever for much of his 42 appearances against the Astros, he is 4-10 with 16 saves and a 4.43 ERA. He last faced them on April 7 and got a no- decision, allowing six hits and two runs over six innings of the Cubs' 3-2 loss.

The British Colombia-born veteran is 1-0 with two no-decisions in his last three starts, surrendering 16 hits and six earned runs in 17 innings.

On Wednesday, Geoff Blum's fisting sinker into shallow center field scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, as Houston edged Chicago, 2-1.

Chris Sampson (3-0) was the winner with two scoreless frames in relief of Wandy Rodriguez, who pitched seven effective innings while giving up one run on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks.

Angel Guzman (2-1) was the loser, giving up the winning run on two hits with two walks. Carlos Zambrano was brilliant on the mound, giving up one run on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks in eight frames.

Ryan Theriot was 2-for-4 and Geovany Soto provided the offense with a solo shot for the Cubs.

Chicago has won eight of its last 11 overall versus the Astros.