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Padres try to make it two in a row over Astros

Jun 4, 2011 - 2:50 PM (Sports Network) - The San Diego Padres try to string back-to-back wins together at home for the first time this season this evening when they continue a four-game set at Petco Park.

The Padres earned a rare home win on Friday, as Dustin Moseley pitched seven strong innings and Chris Denorfia homered to power San Diego to a 3-1 win.

Moseley (2-6), who was charged with six hits and struck out five, secured his first victory since May 1 against the Dodgers. Heath Bell recorded the final three outs for his 15th save of the season.

"I made pitches when I had to," Moseley said. "I pitched ahead for the most part and that helps out."

Aaron Cunningham delivered an RBI double in a two-run fourth inning for the Padres, who snapped a two-game skid but won for the fifth time in seven tries overall.

San Diego is just 10-21 at home this season and hasn't won consecutive games in front of their fans since September 24-25 of last season. Oddly enough, the Padres are 15-12 away from home on the year.

"We definitely need to play better at home," Bell said. "For some odd reason, we're playing really well on the road, and not at home, and usually it's the complete opposite."

J.A. Happ (3-7) yielded six hits and three runs over six innings and dropped his third consecutive decision.

"They did a good job of keeping balls in the middle of the field," Happ said of San Diego's hitters.

J.R. Towles drove in the lone run for the Astros, who had won their last four games overall and previous five road tilts.

Heading to the hill for San Diego this evening will be veteran right-hander Aaron Harang, who is 5-2 on the year with a 3.88 ERA. Harang, though, is without a decision in his last four assignments, but has pitched well his last three times out.

On Monday in Atlanta Harang gave up two runs and six hits in six innings of his team's 3-2 win. He had surrendered just one earned run in his previous two starts.

"It was one of those days where I had to work early," Harang said.

Harang beat the Astros the last time he faced them and owns a 12-9 lifetime mark against them with a 4.43 ERA in 25 starts.

Houston, meanwhile, will counter with rookie right-hander Aneury Rodriguez, who will be making his seventh major league start and is still searching for his first big league win. Rodriguez did not get a decision on Monday in Chicago, as the Cubs reached him for six runs (four earned) and seven hits in four innings of his team's 12-7 win.

Rodriguez is 0-2 on the year with a 3.88 ERA.

Houston has split its six matchups with San Diego this season, but the Padres have won six of the last nine matchups overall.