San Diego, CA (My Sportsbook) - Chris Young threw six effective innings and Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a two-run home run as the San Diego Padres edged Pittsburgh, 3-2, in the second of three games with the Pirates.

Young (7-6) gave up one run on five hits, with no walks and five strikeouts for the Padres, who have won two of three. Adrian Gonzalez finished with a hit and run batted in for San Diego.

"I had a pretty good slider," Young said. "I didn't use my curveball much; mixed fastballs and sliders to throw them off."

With the win, the Padres will avoid what could have been the dubious distinction of a 100-loss season. San Diego owns a 63-98 record headed into the final game of the season on Sunday.

Jimmy Barthmaier (0-2) took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits in five frames, with four walks and two strikeouts for the Pirates, who have lost five of six. Adam LaRoche went 2-for-4 with a run batted in for Pittsburgh.

The Padres got all the runs they needed in the first inning. After Brian Giles walked with two outs, Gonzalez smacked a run-scoring double to left. Kouzmanoff followed with a two-run shot to center field for a 3-0 San Diego lead.

"It would have been easy to fold the tent right then, but he pitched pretty well after that," Pirates manager John Russell said of Barthmaier.

Young's only run allowed occurred in the third inning. LaRoche doubled to right to plate Freddy Sanchez, who singled with one out.

The score held that way until the eighth, when Heath Bell took the mound for San Diego. He walked Ryan Doumit with one away, and two batters later a Jason Michaels triple chased the run home.

But he got out of the inning, and Trevor Hoffman worked a perfect ninth to secure his 30th save.

Game Notes

The Pirates left seven runners on base, while the Padres stranded five...Barthmaier lowered his ERA to 10.45...The Padres lead the season series, 4-2.