PITTSBURGH -- Chase Headley and Nick Hundley have been Padres companions for the last four years. The two have been like brothers, hitting and fielding their way through Class A, Double-A, Triple-A and now the Major Leagues.

Despite Headley's brief stint with the parent club in 2007, the two have made jumps through the Padres' farm system almost simultaneously.

This season has been no different. Headley was called up on June 17, while Hundley was brought up a few days later.

"Nick and Chase have played together for a couple years," manager Bud Black said. "Specifically with Nick and Chase, it makes it easier on them because you have a companion and a true friend and you can talk to about the game. They're probably not lonely. They hang out together."

With a flurry of injuries this season, the Padres have had to rely heavily on their Minor League system to replenish talent at the top level.

Headley, Hundley, and infielders Brian Myrow and Luis Rodriguez are all players recalled from Triple-A Portland this season. The situation is twofold. On one hand, the Padres benefit from young talent, and on the other hand, the four players can grow as one.

"It's make the transition a little easier," Hundley said. "Obviously knowing these guys and playing with them. It's a great opportunity for us, so we just want to take advantage of it. You just know the guys a little better

"Obviously it's nice to be in an organization that uses the Minor League system a lot. It bodes well for us to have these chances. No doubt about it."

Pitching matchup
SD: RHP Josh Banks (2-4, 3.51 ERA)
Banks isn't approaching Greg Maddux's current stretch of 13 consecutive starts without a victory, though, the right-hander has now gone six consecutive starts without a victory after losing, 4-3, in Cincinnati on July 21. Banks had trouble with keeping the ball in the ballpark in that start, allowing home runs to Edwin Encarnacion and Ken Griffey Jr. Going into that start, Banks had only allowed five home runs in his previous nine starts for the Padres. He was staked to a 2-0 lead, but couldn't hold it in the hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.

PIT: RHP John Van Benschoten (1-2, 8.27 ERA)
With the way his first three starts had gone, almost anything would have been a step in the right direction for Van Benschoten. As a result, his five-inning, two-earned-run performance on Monday has to be characterized as such. His aggressiveness in going after hitters is improving, though his efficiency still leaves much to be desired. The right-hander continues to look for his first win as a starter since 2004. Van Benschoten has faced San Diego one other time in his career, allowing three runs in five innings.

Tidbits
Trevor Hoffman, who picked up his 19th save of the season on Friday night, now only needs one more save to set the all-time Major League record with 14 seasons with at least 20 saves, moving past Lee Smith. ... Black said starting pitcher Shawn Estes, who saw a hand specialist on Friday for his injured left thumb, is scheduled to throw a side session on Monday. ... Infielder Tadahito Iguchi's injured right shoulder is going to be checked out by doctors on Monday in San Diego and he could begin a rehab assignment in the Minors as early as next week, Black said. ... Black also said that starting pitcher Brett Tomko is on the same schedule as Iguchi. Tomko will be reevaluated on Monday in San Diego and will throw a side session either Saturday or Sunday.

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Up next
• Sunday: Padres (Jake Peavy, 7-6, 2.76) at Pirates (Paul Maholm, 7-6, 3.92), 10:35 a.m. PT
• Monday: Padres (Greg Maddux, 3-8, 4.18) vs. Diamondbacks (Yusmeiro Petit, 1-1, 2.78), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Padres (Chris Young, 4-4, 4.50) vs. Diamondbacks (Doug Davis, 3-5, 4.22), 7:05 p.m. PT