Our Padres continue interleague play today as they return home to face the Rangers in a three-game set. Yesterday, behind a phenomenal start by Clayton Richard, they were able to salvage a win and avoid a sweep at the hands of the Athletics. They finished their road trip with a 5-4 record, their first winning record on the road this season. And tonight they hope to improve on a 6-3 interleague record.

The Rangers come to Petco Park atop the NL West and fresh off a sweep of the Astros. They will send Matt Harrison to the mound to kick of the series and try to lead them to their eight win in ten games. In Harrison's last time, he pitched his third career shutout. He got a no-decision, but pitched 7 1/3 strong innings. He has a streak of 16 1/3 scoreless innings going, and hopes to extend that streak in the pitcher-friendly Petco Park.

The Padres offense, however, has picked up recently. Prior to yesterday's 1-0 victory, they had upped their team batting average to .252 while collecting 33 doubles, 11 triples, and 18 home runs in a 17-game stretch. Tonight they hope to keep improving offensively and give Jason Marquis his second win in a row. He is coming off a great start and his first win as a Padre. Against the Mariners, he allowed six hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Hopefully he can continue that success and pitch strong against Texas tonight.

#Padres lineup v. @Rangers at #PetcoPark #GoPadres twitter.com/Padres/status/…

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 18, 2012

GO FRIARS!! KEEP THE FAITH!!