San Diego @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 6, 2011 ) San Diego 13, Pittsburgh 2

THE STORY: The San Diego Padres' most recent trip to Pittsburgh came at the right time. But then again, they usually do. The Padres have roughed up the struggling Pirates in the first two games of their three-game series, and they'll go for the sweep - and their ninth straight win at Pittsburgh - on Sunday.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, Channel 4 San Diego, ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Mat Latos (5-11, 3.94 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Kevin Correia (12-9, 4.71).

Latos suffered a bout of tough luck in his last outing, allowing only one run over seven innings but winding up on the wrong end of a 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. That's nothing new, though. The Padres have scored one run or fewer in six of his 11 losses, including four shutouts. Latos hasn't won since June 27. He has had success against Pittsburgh, though, going 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts. Correia has alternated good starts and bad over the past month, and he is due for a good one. He allowed eight runs in two innings of an 11-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, surrendering four home runs. Correia, who pitched for the Padres the past two seasons before signing as a free agent with Pittsburgh in the off-season, is 3-1 with a 4.70 ERA in 20 appearances (six starts) against his former team.

ABOUT THE PADRES (50-64): The Padres have won three in a row overall and they've blown out the Pirates 15-5 and 13-2 in the first two games. San Diego has outscored the Pirates 65-22 during its eight-game winning streak in Pittsburgh. They've also found their home run stroke at PNC Park. After hitting four homers Friday, including Chase Headley's grand slam - the team's first of the season - Kyle Blanks' grand slam was the biggest blow Saturday.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (54-58): Pittsburgh's hopes of contending for a division title have quickly turned to concerns about another losing season. The Pirates were tied for the National League Central lead July 25, but they've lost 11 of 12 since, including nine straight, and dropped nine games behind first-place Milwaukee. Pittsburgh hasn't enjoyed a winning season since 1992. Garrett Jones has been among the few bright spots during Pittsburgh's slump. Jones' solo home run Saturday was his 13th of the season and his third in six games on the homestand.

FINAL PITCH: Entering the series, the Padres ranked last in the National League in scoring and had scored 13 runs only once. They have since surpassed the Giants and Dodgers in runs scored.