"Astros slugger Carlos Lee is off to a bad start. He knows it and said he is working to correct it.

"I can't buy a hit," Lee said after Friday's 1-for-4 performance in a 7-2 loss to the Cubs.

Actually, the outfielder has four hits in 39 at-bats, but you get the point. Lee is batting .103 and has yet to record an RBI despite multiple opportunities.

His struggles add to the heavy pressure that comes with being one of the players expected to step up in Lance Berkman's absence. As the team's highest-paid player — $18.5 million a year — Lee also must deal with high expectations.

The fact that he has been unable to deliver at the plate in the 1-9 start by the Astros has made for a frustrating first 10 games for Lee.

"I'll tell you what's frustrating, not being able to go put a good swing," Lee said. "You can't control where the ball is going to go, but you can control how good your swing is.""