Padres-Astros Preview

4/21/2008 11:29 PM

By KATE HEDLIN
STATS Writer

The Houston Astros saw on opening day why Jake Peavy was the NL's Cy Young Award winner last year.

They hope they won't get another reminder on Tuesday.

Facing Peavy for the second time this season, the Astros look to build on their best offensive game of the season when they take on the San Diego Padres in the finale of a two-game set in Houston.

The Astros (8-12) scored a season high in runs on Monday in a 10-3 victory over San Diego (9-11). Miguel Tejada and Lance Berkman each homered and drove in three runs while Roy Oswalt allowed three runs in seven innings to give Houston back-to-back wins for just the second time this season.

The Astros, who scored six runs the day before in a win over Colorado, had a season-high 13 hits on Monday, including four doubles.

"When I walked on four pitches, that was great," Houston leadoff man Michael Bourn said. "We all were clicking."

Tejada, who is hitting .342 this season, was 4-for-5 Monday and helped Houston build a 5-0 lead in the first inning off Padres starter Justin Germano, who lasted 3 1-3 innings after allowing 10 runs and 10 hits. It was the fourth time this season San Diego has given up at least 10 runs and the second time in three games.

Adrian Gonzalez drove in two runs for the Padres, who have lost five of six.

"When you give up five in the first against a guy like Oswalt, it's going to make it hard," San Diego manager Bud Black said.

The Padres hope to bounce back Tuesday when they send their ace to the mound.

Peavy (3-0, 1.20 ERA), who was 19-6 with a 2.54 ERA last year, won his first three starts before failing to earn a decision on Thursday in a 22-inning, 2-1 loss to the Rockies. The right-hander pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing four hits while striking out a season-high 11 - the 25th time in his career he's reached double-digit strikeouts.

Peavy is 7-4 with a 2.04 ERA in 13 career starts against the Astros. He's won his last three decisions against them, including opening day. Peavy pitched seven scoreless innings in that March 31 start, allowing three hits in the 4-0 win.

"It wasn't by accident that he won the Cy Young last year," Astros manager Cecil Cooper said after the loss.

Houston looks to win three straight for the first time this season as it sends Brandon Backe (1-2, 4.26) to the mound.

Backe is trying to bounce back after struggling in his last start. He lasted three innings against Philadelphia on Thursday, allowing six runs - five earned - and 10 hits in a 10-2 loss.

Backe has lasted longer than five innings only once this season - a six-inning outing in a loss to the Chicago Cubs on April 6. Houston is 1-3 in his four starts, but the offense has provided him with two runs or less in three of those appearances.

The right-hander is 2-2 with a 2.70 ERA in four starts against the Padres. He pitched five innings against them on April 1, allowing two runs and five hits in the 2-1 loss.