LOS ANGELES -- After facing American League teams in four of their past five series, the Dodgers will return to National League opposition on Monday in Houston against the Astros.

Even after taking two of three from the Angels this weekend, the Dodgers won just five of 15 games during Interleague Play this season. That's no different from prior years, as the Dodgers have compiled a 20-43 Interleague record the past four years.

But Dodgers manager Joe Torre said he just wants to see his club start winning series after taking only two of its past 11 series.

"Hopefully this is the start of something special here," Torre said. "We need to start playing teams we're going to contend against, and that's basically what we're going to be doing."

Before Monday's game, Juan Pierre will undergo an MRI on the left knee he hurt sliding into second on Sunday.

Delwyn Young would replace Pierre in the outfield if he cannot go, but Torre was not sure who he would put in the leadoff spot that Pierre has occupied in the last 49 games of Rafael Furcal's absence.

A roster move is likely if Pierre has to miss more than a couple days.

Pitching matchup
LAD: LHP Eric Stults (2-0, 0.60 ERA)
Stults, in only his ninth Major League start, threw a four-hit shutout against the White Sox his last time out. Overlooked most of his Minor League career, he's the only Dodgers starting pitcher with a winning record. He was called up to make an emergency start in place of an injured Brad Penny, but now seems to have earned a spot in the rotation. He's a crafty lefty who throws strikes.

HOU: RHP Roy Oswalt (6-8, 4.77 ERA)
Though he took the loss in his last start, 3-2 to the Rangers on Wednesday night, Oswalt pitched well and has had five quality starts in his last six tries. He gave up three runs on seven hits in seven innings against the Rangers and is 2-4 with a 3.35 ERA in his last six starts since May 29. Oswalt is 4-3 with a 3.96 ERA in six career starts against the Dodgers.

Tidbits
The Dodgers have hired former Mariners hitting coach Jeff Pentland as organizational hitting instructor. He will start Monday, when he will spend time with Triple-A Las Vegas. Seattle dismissed Pentland earlier this month. ... ESPN filmed a segment of the SportsCenter contest "TitleTown USA" Sunday in Autograph Alley of Dodger Stadium. Former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda represented the Dodgers and the city of Los Angeles, which is one of 20 communities chosen to be named America's "TitleTown" in an online vote of fans. ... The Dodgers bullpen has tossed 13 straight scoreless innings dating back to the ninth inning of Tuesday's game against the White Sox. ... Sunday marked the 18-year anniversary of Fernando Valenzuela's no-hitter against the Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Monday will be the 46th anniversary of Sandy Koufax's National League-record fourth no-hitter. ... First baseman James Loney will be returning to his hometown for the Astros series. "I think it's fun to get a chance to see old friends and family and stuff," Loney said. ... The Dodgers are halfway through their schedule, having played 81 of their 162 games. Last year at this time they were 45-36. ... Torre got a call from Donald Trump after his club won Saturday's game without getting a hit. "He told me what a good manager I am," Torre said. ... Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt turned 54 on Sunday.

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Up next
• Tuesday: Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw, 0-2, 4.36) at Astros (Wandy Rodriguez, 3-3, 2.58), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Wednesday: Dodgers (Hiroki Kuroda, 3-6, 4.04) at Astros (Runelvys Hernandez, 0-1, 5.40), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Thursday: Dodgers (Chad Billingsley, 7-7, 3.38) at Astros (Brandon Backe, 5-8, 5.12), 11:05 a.m. PT