• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Hairston, Padres go for rare three-game winning streak

Jul 6, 2008 - 1:07 PM San Diego (35-53) at Arizona (43-45), 4:10 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Scott Hairston will look to inflict some damage on his former team once again when the San Diego Padres meet the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday in the finale of a three-game series.

Hairston blasted a pair of home runs and drove in three runs as the Padres defeated the Diamondbacks, 4-2, on Saturday. It was Hairston's second multi-homer game of the season and third career.

"Scotty is one of those guys that when he gets hot he gets hot," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He got good swings and swung the bat well and was responsible for our first three runs by himself."

A former Diamondback, Hairston opened the scoring in the third inning with a two-run shot over the right field wall. Hairston struck again in the sixth, leading off the frame with his 11th homer of the season to extend San Diego's advantage to 3-0.

"When you come back against a former team you want to do well," Hairston said. "I think I didn't perform to my capabilities when I was given a chance here. If it is anybody's fault it was mine."

Veteran lefthander Randy Johnson (4-7, 5.46 ERA), who lost each of his last six starts, will try to help Arizona avoid its third straight loss. The 44-year-old Johnson, who is 12 wins shy of 300 in his career, was tagged for seven runs over 3 2/3 frames in Tuesday's 8-6 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Padres will counter with righthander Josh Banks (2-3, 2.89), who lost each of his previous three starts and has not won since May 31.