San Diego @ Houston preview

San Diego at Houston

Last Meeting ( Jun 27, 2012 ) San Diego 0, Houston 1

The Houston Astros attempt to secure their second straight series win Thursday when they host the San Diego Padres in the finale of their four-game set. Houston, which took two of three from Cleveland last weekend, posted its second consecutive victory over San Diego on Wednesday after dropping the series opener in 10 innings. Lucas Harrell tossed a six-hit shutout and Matt Downs belted a solo homer as the Astros improved to 5-4 on their 10-game homestand.

Despite registering just one run on Wednesday, Houston has scored a total of 28 over its last five games after crossing the plate only once in its previous three contests. San Diego, which was shut out for the seventh time this year, fell to 1-2 on its 10-game road trip. The Padres have dropped eight of their last 12 overall contests.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSSD (San Diego), FSH (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Andrew Cashner (3-3, 3.81 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (1-0, 1.29)

Cashner will be making his second start of the season and the third of his career. The 25-year-old worked 2 1/3 innings at Milwaukee on June 9, allowing one run and two hits while walking two and striking out five. Cashner was sent to Double-A San Antonio after that start and went 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings in three outings.

Keuchel also will be starting for the third time in the major leagues. The 24-year-old made his debut at Texas on June 17, when he yielded one run and four hits over five innings. He followed with a superb outing in a win over Cleveland on Saturday, surrendering one run and six hits en route to his first complete game - and Houston's first of the season.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego 1B Yonder Alonso was in the starting lineup for the first time in four games and collected two of his team's six hits. Alonso had been out with a sore left knee.

2. Astros starting pitchers have posted a 2.06 ERA over the last nine contests.

3. Padres OF Chris Denorfia's career-best 12-game hitting streak came to an end Wednesday when he grounded out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.