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Stauffer replaces Young in rubber match

Jul 29, 2007 - 3:21 PM San Diego (55-48) at Houston (46-58) 2:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) - Tim Stauffer has some big shoes to fill when the San Diego Padres square off against the Houston Astros in the finale of a three-game series Sunday.

The 25-year-old Stauffer (NR) is replacing the major league leader in ERA, Chris Young, who was injured Tuesday when the righthander lasted just two innings in the club's 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies.

Stauffer is making his first start this season and just his second since 2005 but will be relied on to help the Padres stop their current slide, losing seven of their las nine. The righthander is 4-6 with a 5.07 ERA in 16 career games.

He will be opposed by Jason Jennings (2-6, 4.74), who snapped a five-game losing streak after surrendering three runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in the Astros' 7-4 triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.

Houston has won four of its last five contests and San Diego has fallen to third in the National League West divsion, 1 1/2 games behind the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks, who are tied at the top.