The Houston Astros won back-back games for the first time since July 3-4 when they beat the Padres on Wednesday night, 7-1.

Now, they want to accomplish something even more spectacular: Sweep a series for the first time in six weeks with a win on Thursday.

The Astros last swept a three-game set at Wrigley Field in Chicago, June 13-15. Since then, they've won three series, lost nine and tied one.

A sweep over the Padres could give them a little momentum heading into their trip to Arizona, which could be beneficial, considering the Diamondbacks are one of the teams the Astros are chasing in the Wild Card race.

Pitching matchup
HOU: RHP Matt Albers (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Albers will make his first Major League start on Thursday after making two relief appearances. Albers tossed five scoreless innings on July 27, allowing two hits while striking out four against the Reds. Albers made his big-league debut on July 25 vs. Cincinnati, tossing one scoreless inning.

SD: RHP Clay Hensley (6-8, 4.46)
Hensley struggled to command his sinker against the Rockies on Friday night, and it ended up costing him two runs and the game even though he pitched well enough through six innings to win. Hensley let the leadoff hitter reach in five of his six innings, four times with walks.

Player to watch
Among relief pitchers, Brad Lidge has the most strikeouts in the Majors with 70.

On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
• FSN Houston

On radio
• KTRH 740

Up next
• Friday: Houston (RHP Roy Oswalt, 8-7, 3.23) at Arizona (RHP Miguel Batista, 9-5, 4.71), 8:40 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Houston (RHP Roger Clemens, 2-4, 2.09) at Arizona (RHP Brandon Webb, 12-4, 2.74), 8:40 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Houston (LHP Andy Pettitte, 10-11, 4.97) at Arizona (RHP Claudio Vargas, 8-8, 5.43), 3:40 p.m. CT