Roy Oswalt single handedly denies Padres again as Astro win 3-1

SAN DIEGO — Roy Oswalt dominated the San Diego Padres again, pitching a two-hitter and retiring his final 18 batters in the Houston Astros’ 3-1 victory Monday night. Ivan Rodriguez homered and Oswalt (4-4) helped himself with two hits at the plate. The right-hander improved to 10-2 with a 2.68 ERA against the Padres in 15 career appearances, including 13 starts. His .833 winning percentage is the highest among active pitchers with at least 10 decisions against San Diego.

It was Oswalt’s 17th career complete game and second this season.

His batterymate, Rodriguez, hit his seventh home run, a solo shot to center field off starter Josh Geer (1-3) that tied it 1-all in the fifth inning.

The Astros went ahead with two runs in the sixth on consecutive singles by Miguel Tejada, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee, and a sacrifice fly by Geoff Blum.

The Padres pushed across their lone run in the fourth on a bases-loaded wild pitch by Oswalt. David Eckstein was hit by a pitch to start the inning and moved to third on a double by Scott Hairston. Adrian Gonzalez was intentionally walked to load the bases.

After Kevin Kouzmanoff popped up for the first out of the inning, Oswalt threw a curve to Chase Headley that bounced in the dirt and got away from Rodriguez. Eckstein raced home from third.

Oswalt struck out Headley and Eliezer Alfonzo to get out of the inning, then never allowed another runner. He finished with eight strikeouts and two walks. The only hits he gave up were doubles by Hairston and Everth Cabrera.

Geer allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings. He struck out two and walked one.

It was the second time this season that the Padres were held to two hits. Seattle’s Felix Hernandez also did it on June 16 at Petco Park.

NOTES: Astros manager Cecil Cooper said his team will go with a six-man rotation until the All-Star break. Left-hander Mike Hampton is scheduled to come off the disabled list Tuesday night and pitch against the Padres. … The Astros placed right-hander Brandon Backe on waivers. … Padres ace Jake Peavy will have his right ankle re-examined Tuesday by team doctors. Peavy has a strained tendon and has been on the DL since June 15. … San Diego slugger Adrian Gonzalez walked twice, giving him 32 of his major league-leading 63 free passes in June.