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Germano looks to continue hot start vs. struggling Brewers

May 26, 2007 - 2:18 PM Milwaukee (28-20) at San Diego (27-21) 10:05 pm EDT

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - Rookie Justin Germano is looking to make the San Diego Padres rotation decision an easy one.

Germano takes the mound on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers in the middle game of a three-games series.

Germano (2-0, 0.47 ERA) has filled in brilliantly for the injured Clay Hensley, who was placed on the disabled list with a strained right groin on May 3.

Since being called up from Class AAA Portland on May 8 the 24-year-old righthander has allowed just two runs and 12 hits in 19 innings. In his last start Germano allowed one unearned run and six hits over six innings in a 2-1 win over Seattle on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Hensley is nearing a return, but was not pitching well prior to his injury going 1-3 with a 7.62 ERA. With another good performance, Germano could make his case he belongs in the rotation, and not Hensley.

The Padres, who have won nine of 11, took the opener on Friday night behind a grand slam from rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff who has come on strong after struggling to start the season.

Kouzmanoff has three homers in his last four games and has risen his average from .137 to .217 during his eight-game hitting streak.

As for the Brewers, they continue to struggle. Milwaukee has lost eight of its last 11 games.

Claudio Vargas (3-0, 3.68) will take the mound looking to snap a two-game skid, as well as pick up his first decision his last four starts. In his last time out Vargas allowed five runs and six hits in four innings as Milwaukee beat Minnesota 6-5 on Sunday.