HOUSTON -- Jason Lane already knew that he hadn't cleared waivers, so the outfielder wasn't exactly sweating bullets when decision time arrived on Saturday.

The Astros had to activate rookie right-hander Jason Hirsh prior to their game with the Padres, and, because they wanted to carry a 12-man pitching staff, a position player was going to have to go.

The Astros would have preferred to send Lane to Triple-A, but he was claimed when the club attempted to pass him through waivers, so the Astros pulled him back and now must keep him on the roster for the remainder of the season. Lane was told on Friday that his status with the team was safe.

Still, it's been a tense couple of weeks for Lane. Now that the drama is officially over -- it ended when the club designated Preston Wilson for assignment -- Lane expressed a desire to shift his focus back to helping the Astros win games.

"Obviously, I want to get back to contributing a little more," Lane said. "I feel like I'm working in that direction with all that extra work. Now it's just a matter of waiting for my opportunity. Obviously, the team's playing well. That's the most important thing. I've just got to find a way to contibute to the team."

Lane will be used primarily as a pinch-hitter but will likely receive a start every once in a while, too. It's probable that manager Phil Garner will continue to stick with the outfield configuration of Luke Scott, Willy Taveras and Aubrey Huff, which means Lane won't see a lot of playing time.

"As far as my role, no one's told me anything different after today," Lane said. "I'm assuming it'll be to be ready to pinch-hit and we'll go from there."

Props to Wilson: Brad Ausmus called Wilson one of the most professional teammates he ever played with, even when the veteran outfielder lost his starting job.

"A lot of people wouldn't have handled his lack of playing time in the classy manner that he handled it, after being a starter so long," Ausmus said.

Ausmus commended Wilson for having a good understanding of the game and having a full grasp of what the team concept means.

"He plays the game really hard, he never lets down, he always believes his team has a chance, regardless of how bleak the situation seems," Ausmus said. "For a guy who's been a starter his entire career, over the past 2 1/2, three weeks, he's proven to be one the most professional teammates I've ever had."

Regular BP: Pitching coach Jim Hickey approached manager Phil Garner early this season with an idea that he thought may help the pitchers with the hitting side of their game. Judging from the events of the past few days, it appears the plan may be working.

Before every home game, pitchers take batting practice for 15 minutes, just before the position players take over the cage.

"I think it's a good idea," Garner said. "We've asked them to take a good approach at the plate when they take their batting practice, and I think, clearly, it's paying off. You'll see our pitchers taking opposing pitchers deep into counts."

These days, pitchers are just taking opposing pitchers deep, period. Roy Oswalt homered for the first time in his career on Wednesday, and two days later, not to be outdone by his teammate, Andy Pettitte knocked his first career long ball.

Both pitchers claimed that the homers were a result of being lucky rather than good, but they did acknowledge that the extra BP is helping.

"I feel lke we're swinging the bats a little bit better," Pettitte said. "It's a big part of the game. If you're just going to be an out every time through the course of the season, then it can hurt you. It's definitely helped us."

"I think it helps," Oswalt said. "It's just like throwing bullpens. You do it so you can get muscle memory. Same thing with hitting. You kind of try to remember how to swing at certain pitches."

Honoring Gene: Saturday was Gene Elston Day at Minute Maid Park, honoring the former broadcaster who called Houston baseball games for 25 years. Elston received the Ford C. Frick Award and was honored at the Hall of Fame inductions in Cooperstown, N.Y., in July.

Elston was presented with a crystal microphone from club owner Drayton McLane during a pregame ceremony on the field.

"I think it set in a long time ago," Elston said of his Hall of Fame honor. "But I think this is great. It's nice getting back out again, and I think it's great."

Coming up: The Astros and Padres conclude their three-game series on Sunday, beginning at 1:05 p.m. CT. Right-hander Brandon Backe (3-1, 3.69) will face righty Woody Williams (4-4, 3.89). The game will mark the Astros' final contest against an opponent from the National League West in 2006.