SAN DIEGO -- It might not be considered an offensive explosion, but the Padres will take it. Runs, not to mention wins, have come few and far between during the last month. So Sunday's 6-1 win over the Rockies was more than welcome for the too often offensively challenged Padres.

A three-run sixth inning, highlighted by a two-run homer by shortstop Khalil Greene, helped bring an end to a pair of streaks the Padres are glad to have in their afterburners. Entering the three-game set against Colorado (15-23), the Padres (14-24) had lost eight consecutive series. This victory, in addition to a 3-2 win Saturday, ensured the end of that dreadful run. Also, this is the first time San Diego has won back-to-back games in nearly a month, dating back to April 15. The Padres' six runs are also the most they've scored in seven games.

"It was good to see," said manager Bud Black. "You know, we think it's in there. It's good to see it show and hopefully we can continue."

The relative outburst at the plate was only half of the Padres' winning formula.

Starting pitcher Chris Young (3-3) lasted six-plus innings, allowed just one run and struck out seven. None of the five hits he allowed went for extra bases, and for a stretch between the first and fourth innings, he looked untouchable. After walking Jonathan Herrera and giving up a single to Todd Helton, Young retired 13 consecutive batters, six by strikeout. A good turnaround following a five-run, five-inning loss at Atlanta.

"I had a lively fastball today," Young said. "I was able to establish it down and up in the zone, mix in some offspeed pitches here and there."

Young credited his effective work to his ability to get ahead of hitters, keep his fastball mostly up in the strike zone and remain aggressive.

Young's throwing partner, catcher Luke Carlin, had a pretty good day himself. In his second game in the Majors after being called up Friday from Triple-A Portland. Carlin doubled and scored in the eighth inning, his first Major League hit and run.

Carlin's hit brought the PETCO Park crowd of 28,624 to its feet.

"I was just tired of getting out," Carlin said. "I just couldn't get my timing down. I think I was trying to over-swing a bit."

Carlin was making his second straight start because catcher Josh Bard needed a cortisone injection in his surgically repaired right wrist; a one-day setback that Black called "a minor thing."

Carlin finished 1-for-3 and also threw out Herrera in the sixth inning when he was trying to steal second base. Prior to the play, 56 consecutive baserunners had converted their stolen-base attempts against Young.

"Luke did great. You'd never know it was his second big league start," Young said. "He called a great game, acted like he belongs. He made it look easy."

The Padres bullpen closed the game in fine fashion, pitching three innings of no-hit relief. Cla Meredith, Heath Bell and Brian Corey used just 37 pitches over the final three frames, 23 of which were strikes.

Most fans at the park likely didn't recognize Corey. The right-hander was acquired Sunday in a trade with the Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

His relief work in the ninth came under almost no pressure because of the Padres' 11 earlier hits.

Left fielder Scott Hairston broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with a home run to left field on a chest-high first-pitch fastball. The shot came off Rockies pitcher Greg Reynolds, who was making his Major League debut. Reynolds (0-1) was solid for four innings, but unraveled in the fifth and sixth, allowing four runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings. Tadahito Iguchi was 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI, and Hairston was 1-for-3 with the home run and a walk.