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Hoffman eyes save record; Padres go for fourth straight win

Sep 24, 2006 - 3:33 PM Pittsburgh (65-90) at San Diego (82-72) 4:05 pm EDT

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Trevor Hoffman hopes that a season of personal glory comes complete with a worthy team accomplishment.

Hoffman looks to break the all-time saves record Sunday when the San Diego Padres face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of a weekend series.

The 38-year-old Hoffman pitched a perfect ninth in San Diego's 2-1 triumph on Saturday for his 478th career save. He currently is tied for the major league record with Lee Smith, who played for eight teams from 1980-97.

Hoffman's league-leading 42nd save capped off a great night for San Diego, which won its third straight game as ace Jake Peavy struck out 11 in eight superb innings. The win, coupled with a loss by Los Angeles, moved the Padres 1 1/2 games ahead of the Dodgers in the National League West Division.

Clay Hensley (10-11, 3.81 ERA) quietly has been outstanding for the Padres over the last two months. The righthander has allowed four runs or fewer in 12 straight outings, including two runs or less in 10 of those contests.

In his last start, Hensley yielded two runs in six frames of a 5-2 victory over Arizona on Tuesday. He currently has won back-to-back starts for the second time in his career but never has won three straight outings.

The Pirates counter with Marty McLeary (1-0, 4.76), who has made three relief appearances this season. Prior to that, his only major league experience consisted of three outings out of the bullpen for the 2004 Padres, for whom he allowed six runs in 3 2/3 innings.

This year, McLeary has been scored upon in all three of his appearances. He has given up four runs - three earned - and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Sunday marks the final road game for the Pirates, who are a league-worst 24-56 away from home this season.