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Astros-Padres Preview

Jul 1, 2010 - 2:48 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Houston (30-48) at San Diego (45-32), 10:05 p.m. EDT

A successful end to June has the Houston Astros feeling confident heading into their second series in the span of a week against a first-place team.

The Astros continue their 10-game trip Thursday night against the NL West-leading San Diego Padres.

Houston (31-48) won a combined 17 games in April and May, but after taking two of three at Milwaukee, finished 14-14 in June. San Diego (46-32) went 15-12 in June, leaving the Astros excited about facing the team with the NL's best record.

"(The Padres) are playing well, but I think we are, too," manager Brad Mills told the Astros' official website. "I'm looking forward to it."

Houston opened its trip by losing two of three at AL West-leading Texas before winning its first road series in three weeks at Milwaukee. The Padres took two of three at Houston in early May.

"We've been on the road a bunch and faced some real stiff competition, and we held our own," said Houston's Geoff Blum, who had two hits in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Brewers. "It's a grind, but hopefully we can build on this and maintain it throughout the season."

Chris Johnson had four hits and drove in two runs Wednesday for the Astros, who have won five of eight. The rookie third baseman is 12 for 29 with six RBIs in seven games since being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock.

"He came up here and took advantage of the opportunity," Blum said. "It's fun to watch."

Houston could be in for a test against San Diego's Jon Garland (8-5, 3.13 ERA), who looks for a fourth straight win over the Astros.

The right-hander is 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in six starts versus the Astros, but has scattered seven hits in 14 scoreless innings in the last two. Garland gave up two hits in seven innings of a 2-1 win at Houston on May 8.

Garland earned his second straight consecutive victory after he yielded a run in 6 2-3 innings of a 2-1 win at Florida on Saturday.

Scott Hairston drove in four runs for the second time in three games Wednesday as San Diego avoided being swept with a 13-3 win over Colorado. The Padres, who totaled nine runs in their previous two games, have scored at least 13 on three occasions this season.

"That was good to see," San Diego's Jerry Hairston said of his team's latest win.

Scott Hairston went 5 for 13 in the series. Two of his three hits in 11 at-bats against Houston this season have been home runs.

Adrian Gonzalez was 1 for 13 against the Rockies. He went 1 for 9 at Houston in May, but is 5 for 12 versus scheduled starter Brian Moehler (1-4, 5.63).

The right-hander earned his first win after giving up three runs in five innings of a 7-4 win at Texas on Friday. Moehler is 1-3 with a 6.37 ERA in six starts since joining the rotation in late May.

He is 2-1 with a 3.16 ERA in five starts against San Diego.