The Padres open the second half of the 2006 season as they take on the Atlanta Braves on Friday at PETCO Park in a 7:05 p.m. PT contest.

Right-hander Chris Young will take the mound, hoping to get San Diego off on the right foot as it tries to move toward its second consecutive playoff appearance. The Padres won the National League West last season with an 82-80 mark.

Young is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in his career against Atlanta. The right-hander has won five of his last six decisions.

The series with Atlanta opens a six-game homestand for San Diego, with the Phillies making the trek to California for a three-game series, beginning next Tuesday.

Pitching matchup
ATL: RHP Tim Hudson (6-8, 4.56 ERA)
Hudson is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA against the Padres.

SD: RHP Chris Young (8-4, 3.12 ERA)
Young has gone at least five innings in 16 of his 18 starts this year.

Player to watch
Brian Giles has hit .364 over his career against the Braves.

On the Internet
MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• Ch. 4 Padres

On radio
• XPRS 1090 AM, XEMO 860 AM (Espanol)

Up next
• Monday-Wednesday: All-Star break
• Saturday: Braves (RHP John Smoltz, 6-5, 3.60) at Padres (RHP Jake Peavy, 4-8, 4.46), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Sunday: Braves (LHP Horacio Ramirez, 4-3, 4.65) at Padres (RHP Chan Ho Park, 6-4, 4.29), 1:05 p.m. PT