SAN DIEGO — Less than a month ago, Brett Tomko was unemployed and working out at a suburban high school, trying to fix his faulty mechanics while hoping someone would sign him.

The San Diego Padres are glad they took a chance on the once-ineffective right-hander, since his two wins in the last week have helped them get right back in the NL West race.

Tomko, a castoff from the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, pitched six solid innings and rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff delivered two more hits to lead the Padres to their season-high seventh straight win, 6-3 over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

The Padres pulled within a half-game of first-place Arizona, which was idle. They remained 2Z\x games ahead of Philadelphia in the wild-card race.

San Diego finishes its regular-season home schedule with three games starting today against the third-place Colorado Rockies, who are five games behind Arizona and 4Z\x back in the wild-card race.

If the Padres hold on and claim a playoff spot, Tomko won't be eligible because he wasn't signed until Sept. 4, 10 days after he was designated for assignment by the Dodgers.

"So this is my playoffs," Tomko said after allowing three runs and five hits. He was hit on the right triceps by Matt Kata's one-hopper in the second but remained in the game and retired his final 11 batters.

Tomko made three relief appearances with San Diego before throwing six shutout innings against the Giants on Saturday night.

"That's what it takes to keep a streak alive, is for guys to pitch well," manager Bud Black said. "This time of year, it's important that your starting pitching gives you a chance to win a game."

Tomko struck out six and walked none against Pittsburgh. Trevor Hoffman pitched the ninth for his 40th save in 45 chances, extending his own big league record to nine seasons with 40 or more saves. His 522 career saves are most in the majors.

With Matt Morris (9-11) lasting only four innings, the Pirates — who entered the game tied for last in the NL Central with Houston — lost their sixth straight game.

"You have to give them credit," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said of the Padres. "They beat us four days. I don't think there was anything during the course of the four days that we have to sit here and say we embarrassed ourselves. Their bullpen shut us down for four days."