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Padres, Latos try to make it three in a row over Astros

Jun 5, 2011 - 2:36 PM (Sports Network) - Mat Latos shoots for his third straight win this evening when the San Diego Padres wrap up a four-game set with the Houston Astros at Petco Park.

After losing his first five decisions, Latos won for the third time in his last four starts on Tuesday in Atlanta, as he allowed two runs and five hits in six innings, lowering his earned run average in the process to 3.97.

"He was stressed a couple of times ... and made some pitches," Padres manager Bud Black said of his ace, who also walked four. "It wasn't smooth sailing from the outset. He sort of backed himself into a corner with some 0-2 walks."

"But I thought his slider was a good pitch tonight. You saw the good, hard slider with good depth that the Braves hitters swung over."

Latos lost to the Astros back on April 16, but is 2-1 in three starts against them and has pitched to a 2.01 ERA in those outings.

Houston will hand the ball to young Jordan Lyles, who will be making his second big league start. Lyles did not get a decision on Tuesday in Chicago, but he pitched well, allowing just two runs and five hits in seven innings. He also struck out five without walking a batter, but the Astros scored just once with him on the hill before rallying for six runs in the ninth to pull out the win.

"Jordan threw a great game and we wanted to go out there and put up some more runs for him," said Astros first baseman Brett Wallace. "He came out and was in control out there. That was fun to see. He looked fearless out there and that was awesome to play behind. We definitely wanted to try and make a little run for him, because he didn't deserve the loss there for sure."

Lyles, who won't turn 21 until October 19, is the youngest active player in the league.

On Saturday, Rob Johnson and Brad Hawpe knocked in two runs apiece as San Diego held on for a 6-3 win.

Aaron Harang (6-2) went 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks as the Padres won for the sixth time in their last eight tries and picked up consecutive wins at home for the first time since September 24-25 of last season.

"It was good to see contributions from a number of guys as we move down the order," said San Diego manager Bud Black.

Aneury Rodriguez (0-3) was once again denied his first major league win, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks through six innings for the Astros, who dropped their second game in a row after a four-game win streak.

"He worked out of some jams where they could have come up with a hit and really extended the innings," said Houston manager Brad Mills about his starting pitcher.

San Diego has won four of its seven meetings with the Astros this season and has beaten then in seven of the last 10 overall matchups.