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(Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers try to continue their resurgence this evening when they open a three-game set with the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

Detroit, picked by many to reach the postseason before the season, has been one of the biggest disappointments on the year. However, the Tigers have turned things around of late, moving four games under .500 and now sit just seven games back of first place in the AL Central.

The Tigers took two of three from the San Francisco Giants, culminating the set with a 7-2 win in Wednesday's rubber match. Placido Polanco went 4-for-4 with a double and drove in two runs in that one, while Carlos Guillen finished 2-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in for Detroit, which has won eight of nine overall.

Armando Galarraga (7-2) allowed two unearned runs on seven hits in six innings to pick up the win.

Hoping to keep the Tigers on track tonight will be rookie right-hander Eddie Bonine, who will be making his second major league start. Bonine won his big league debut last Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, as he gave up six runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Bonine will be opposed by future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, who is winless in seven starts since winning the 350th game of his illustrious career back on May 10. Maddux was tagged with the loss on Sunday against Cleveland, surrendering five runs (two earned) and eight hits in six innings to drop him to 3-5 to go along with a 3.31 ERA.

Maddux has faced the Tigers just twice and is 0-1 against them with a 2.25 ERA.

Sand Diego enters this series reeling, having lost four straight and was most recently swept in a three-game set by the New York Yankees after Thursday's 2-1 setback at Yankee Stadium.

Tony Clark drove in the lone run for the Padres, while Josh Banks (2-1) dropped the decision after allowing two runs on four hits in 5 1/3 frames, striking out three and walking one.

San Diego is just 2-7 this season against the AL. However, all nine of those contests have come on the road.

Detroit swept a three-game series from the Padres the last time these teams met back in 2005. The Tigers also took two of three from the Friars back in 2003.