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Peavy tries to get back on track in Houston

Jul 27, 2007 - 1:17 PM San Diego (54-47) at Houston (45-57) 8:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Jake Peavy looks to recapture his early-season success when the San Diego Padres visit the Houston Astros on Friday.

After rolling to a 9-1 record posting 1.98 ERA in his first 15 starts this year, Peavy is 0-4 in his last five starts and his ERA has climbed to 2.47. He has lost each of his last three outings.

Furthermore, July has been the righthander's worst month throughout his career - in 26 starts, he is 7-13 with a 5.33 ERA. Peavy (9-5, 2.47 ERA) is 3-2 with a 3.34 ERA in five starts at Minute Maid Park.

Former Padre pitcher Woody Williams (5-11, 5.03) takes the mound for the Astros, who have won three straight. The righthander pitched eight strong innings and allowed five hits as the Astros edged the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1-0, on Sunday.

Williams, who hadn't pitched eight innings in a game since May 7, 2006 allowed only five baserunners and did not permit a Pittsburgh player to reach third base.

In his career against San Diego, the 40-year-old has won each of his four starts while posting a 2.25 ERA. Williams, who pitched for the Padres from 1999-2001 and 2005-06, is facing his former teammates for the first time this season.

Carlos Lee and Morgan Ensberg hit back-to-back homers and Craig Biggio added a solo blast as the Astros took the first game of this four-game series, 7-1, on Thursday.