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HOU@LAD: Eovaldi shuts down Astros through six frames

Rafael Furcal spent most of the past five years with the Dodgers.

The veteran shortstop undoubtedly left his mark on the franchise, even though three of his final four seasons there were injury-shortened. He played 150 games in 2009, but wore Dodger Blue for just 170 games in 2008 and from 2010-11.

So, naturally, on the eve of facing his former team for the first time since being dealt to the Cardinals just before the non-waiver Trade Deadline, Furcal is day to day after spraining his right thumb Saturday during a fall on his way to the batting cages.

"He's had an unbelievably unlucky year," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.

Making matters worse for St. Louis, Ryan Theriot -- who would normally take over at shortstop -- was held out of Sunday's lineup with a strained hamstring. That leaves Daniel Descalso as the team's shortstop for the time being, a position he's started just 10 times.

Furcal has 26 career leadoff homers and ranks second on Los Angeles' all-time list with 14. He's been to three postseasons with the Dodgers and hit .500 (6-for-12) in their three-game sweep of the Cardinals in the 2009 National League Division Series.

The Dodgers sent Furcal to the Cardinals for Minor League outfielder Alex Castellanos in a deal that created an infield spot for rookie Dee Gordon.

Furcal has struggled a bit since arriving in St. Louis, hitting .216 in 18 games and .150 in his last five.

Dodgers: Eovaldi looks to rebound from first loss
Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, 21, toes the rubber for the fourth time in his career and first since losing his first big league game.

Eovaldi allowed just two runs on five hits over six innings, including two strikeouts and three walks, last Wednesday against the Brewers. For the season, he has allowed four earned runs in 17 innings with 12 strikeouts and nine walks.

Cardinals: Carpenter looking for more quality
Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter is shooting for his fourth straight quality start.

Carpenter has allowed six earned runs in his last three starts, with 21 strikeouts and six walks. He pitched seven scoreless innings against the Dodgers back on April 17, but earned a no-decision in a 2-1 loss.

Worth noting
• Matt Kemp is two homers shy of becoming the second Dodger to reach 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season. Raul Mondesi accomplished the feat in 1997 and '99.

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