Aaron Harang stayed perfect on the season by pitching six strong innings to lift the visiting San Diego Padres to a 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday night.

Chris Denorfia went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and Ryan Ludwick had a two-run single as the Padres bounced back from a 1-0 loss in Thursday's series opener.

Harang (3-0) allowed one run on three hits in six innings. He struck out eight and walked one to keep his ERA at 1.50. Harang was 18-38 in his last three years with Cincinnati.

The only run allowed by Harang came on a RBI double by Hunter Pence in the sixth, but the Padres responded with three runs in their next at-bat for a 4-1 lead.

Heath Bell allowed a run in the ninth before recording his third save.

Houston starter J.A. Happ (1-2) was tagged for three straight hits to open the seventh, including Ludwick's tiebreaking single. He was charged with four runs on seven hits in seven innings.

Michael Bourn and Brett Wallace each went 2-for-4 for the Astros.