--RHP LaTroy Hawkins, the regular setup man, struck out Orlando Hudson to collect the save Wednesday and leave Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez on deck. Hawkins, closing because Jose Valverde is injured, earned his second save of the season.

"(Thursday) it might be a different closer, but (Wednesday) he was the man, and he got it done," manager Cecil Cooper said.

--RHP Roy Oswalt, who didn't figure in Wednesday's decision and remains winless, gave up eight hits and four runs with one walk and six strikeouts over six innings.

Leading 2-0, he gave up three home runs in the Dodgers' four-run rally in the sixth. Manny Ramirez led off the sixth with a home run off the railroad track above the facade behind the Crawford Boxes. Andre Ethier followed with a home run into the Crawford Boxes, tying the score at 2.

Casey Blake added a two-run homer down the left field line into the railroad tracks.

--RHP Brandon Backe completed a three-inning simulated game Wednesday at Minute Maid Park, passing his final hurdle to gain clearance to make a rehab start Monday with Class AAA Round Rock.

"I'm just ready to leave," he said. "I'm ready to get in a game."

Backe, who is on the disabled list with a strained left intercostal muscle, hasn't pitched since suffering the injury early in spring training.

--RHP Doug Brocail, who is on the disabled list with a rotator cuff strain, threw a simulated game Wednesday and felt well enough to hope he could avoid a rehab outing.

"I feel healthy," says Brocail, who is scheduled to pitch at Class AAA Round Rock with Brian Moehler on Friday. "I'd like to sit down and talk to see if maybe we can skip the rehab because I know once I come back I'm going to be a busy man just like the rest of the guys are."

--RF Hunter Pence is likely to be out of the lineup for the series finale against the Dodgers on Thursday, manager Cecil Cooper said.

--RHP Chris Sampson, who had an MRI on Monday, is pitching with a partial tear in his hip's labrum.

--CF Michael Bourn was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game Wednesday as manager Cecil Cooper inserted Jason Michaels' right-handed bat in the lineup. Darin Erstad, the other backup outfielder, likely will start Thursday against RHP Chad Billingsley. "I'm thinking about it just so I can give Darin Erstad a start because he's in the same boat as Jason Michaels," Cooper said.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Jose Valverde (bruised right ankle, sore right calf) was hurt April 21 but remained in the game. He was unavailable April 22 and might miss another day or two.

RHP Brian Moehler (strained right knee) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 14. He is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Round Rock on April 24.

RHP Doug Brocail (strained right rotator cuff) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 11. He is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Round Rock on April 24.

RHP Brandon Backe (strained left side muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list March 27. He will begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Round Rock on April 27.

INF Aaron Boone (open-heart surgery on March 26) went on the 15-day disabled list March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 10. He was uncertain whether he'd resume his career.

ROTATION:

RHP Roy Oswalt

LHP Wandy Rodriguez

LHP Mike Hampton

RHP Russ Ortiz

RHP Felipe Paulino

BULLPEN:

RHP Jose Valverde (closer)

RHP LaTroy Hawkins

LHP Wesley Wright

RHP Geoff Geary

LHP Tim Byrdak

RHP Chris Sampson

RHP Jeff Fulchino

CATCHERS:

Ivan Rodriguez

Humberto Quintero

INFIELDERS:

1B Lance Berkman

2B Kaz Matsui

SS Miguel Tejada

3B Geoff Blum

INF Jeff Keppinger

INF Jason Smith

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Carlos Lee

CF Michael Bourn

RF Hunter Pence

OF/1B Darin Erstad

OF Jason Michaels