first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Clay Hensley (4-4, 4.15 ERA) vs Scott Olsen (4-3, 5.60 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com | ESPN

How ’bout Chris Young? After taking no-hit bids into the sixth inning or later in each of his previous two starts, he goes out and strikes out a career-high 12 Florida Marlins Friday night at Petco Park. The only run he allowed came on a homer by San Diego product Mike Jacobs that bounced off the top of the right field fence. Dude is dealing.

A few other stories worth noting. First is Mike Piazza’s play behind the plate. I’ve mentioned this before, but Piazza has been way better defensively than I expected. He’s done a great job receiving pitches and working with the staff, he isn’t afraid to block the plate, and even his throws to second are getting better. He made a real nice toss on a stolen base by Hanley Ramirez in the fifth. Unfortunately Ramirez is extremely fast and got a good jump, but the throw was right where it had to be. The only other base swiped by the Marlins last night came without a throw. It’s a little thing, yes, but nice to see Piazza getting the ball down to second on the fly with consistency.

Next up, Adrian Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a double to right in the second. He has been pounding the ball during the streak and showing the ability to turn on inside pitches. Earlier in the season, Gonzalez was driving everything to left and left-center; pitchers figured it out and started working him inner half, and he struggled. Now he appears to have made an adjustment and is hitting those pitches with authority as well. Since the streak began May 17 at Arizona, Gonzalez is hitting .356/.391/.610, with four homers in 59 at-bats.

Finally, I know Khalil Greene’s batting average is way too low (.223), but I’m still encouraged by his approach at the plate. Half of his hits this season are the extra base variety, and among shortstops, only the Rangers’ Michael Young has knocked more extra base hits. Only Baltimore’s Miguel Tejada has a higher ISO, and only the Yankees’ Derek Jeter has a higher SEC. One interesting thing about Greene’s numbers so far this season is his splits with the bases empty versus with runners on. His batting average is almost identical in each situation, but he’s been much more productive with ducks on the pond.

I don’t have illusions about Greene becoming a truly elite hitter, but the fact that he’s got a higher OPS so far this year than he did last year despite a batting average that is 27 points lower gives me hope. So does the fact that Greene has equalled last season’s walk total in half as many games. The comparisons to Rich Aurilia we kept hearing when Greene first arrived are looking pretty good to me, and if you think that’s a slam, remember that Aurilia is a career .275/.330/.438 hitter who has knocked 20+ homers three times in his career.

Back to the present: Tonight’s contest features two young pitchers who don’t have much experience against the opposing team. Clay Hensley has been very tough early in games (opponents hit .180/.272/.270 against him in innings 1-3) but can struggle in the middle frames (.298/.376/.543 in innings 4-6). The key will be to get him a lead early.

The Fish, meantime, send out southpaw Scott Olsen, who has been death to left-handers (.176/.300/.255) but eminently hittable by right-handers (.295/.379/.527). Unfortunately, this probably means that Eric Young will start and lead off for the Friars. As with Hensley, Olsen starts strong (.236/.297/.387 in innings 1-3) before faltering late (.275/.394/.488 in innings 4-6, .455/.571/.909 in 11 at-bats thereafter).

There it is. Go Padres!