(Sports Network) - The San Diego Padres hope to put a lengthy home losing streak in the rear-view mirror when the National League West cellar-dwellers begin a three-game series with the Florida Marlins tonight at Petco Park.

San Diego has lost its last eight contests as the host and will be attempting to avert the franchise's first nine-game home slide since August 11-30, 1980, when the Padres played at what was then known as Jack Murphy Stadium.

The Padres return home off a moderately-successful six-game road trip. The club went 3-3 on the swing and recorded a pair of victories over NL West leader Arizona before being dealt a 3-2 defeat by the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Mark Reynolds and Justin Upton each belted solo home runs off San Diego starter Josh Banks to help back 6 1/3 strong innings from Randy Johnson, who limited the Padres to one run and registered 10 strikeouts to end a personal six-start skid.

Banks (2-4) allowed all three Arizona runs during his six-inning stint and has now lost four outings in a row.

Scott Hairston clubbed a solo homer for the Padres and Kevin Kouzmanoff had a pair of doubles in a losing cause.

San Diego will be facing a Florida squad that is a decent 19-23 on the road for the season, but the young team has lost 18 of its last 26 as the visitor and dropped the first three matchups of a four-game set at Colorado's Coors Field before downing the Rockies in Sunday's finale.

Cody Ross capped a tremendous individual performance during the Colorado series by going 3-for-5 with a home runs and five RBI in Sunday's win. The outfielder went 12-for-20 with two homers and knocked in a whopping 15 runs over the four games.

Hanley Ramirez, named the NL's starting shortstop for the upcoming All-Star Game, was 2-for-5 with a run scored for the Marlins. Mike Jacobs and Wes Helms each knocked in a pair runs in the victory.

Chris Volstad earned a win in his major-league debut by tossing two scoreless innings in relief of Mark Hendrickson, who was touched for four runs on six hits through the first four frames.

Mike Jacobs and Wes Helms each knocked in a pair of runs, while Hanley Ramirez -- who was named the National League's starting shortstop for the All-Star Game on Sunday -- went 2-for-5 and scored a run.

The Marlins played again without second baseman Dan Uggla, who was selected to the NL All-Star team as a reserve on Sunday. The slugger has been out of the lineup since June 28 due to a sprained left ankle and is unlikely to see action again this evening.

Ricky Nolasco aims to continue an successful recent run when the Florida hurler takes the hill for tonight's opener. The right-hander is 4-0 with a 1.96 earned run average during his five most recent starts and has ripped off eight victories over his last nine decisions.

Nolasco was a winner once again this past Wednesday, when he held Washington to two runs and just three hits to lead Florida to a 4-2 triumph at Dolphin Stadium. He struck out eight Nationals hitters and did not issue a walk for the game.

The 25-year-old did not fare well in an earlier encounter with the Padres this season, however. San Diego battered Nolasco for six runs and 10 hits over 4 2/3 innings during a 7-2 victory in Miami on May 3.

For his career, Nolasco is 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA in three appearances (2 starts) against the Padres.

Greg Maddux takes an 11-start winless streak into tonight's tilt, the San Diego right-hander's longest drought since he went 13 straight outings without a victory from May 11-July 14, 1990.

Maddux has been hit hard in each of his last two starts, including a June 30 matchup at Colorado in which the future Hall of Famer was rocked for eight runs and eight hits in a 4 2/3-inning no-decision. Prior to that appearance, Maddux allowed seven runs (6 earned) and lasted just 5 2/3 frames in a June 25 loss to Minnesota.

The 42-year-old, who has not registered a win since May 10, also took a loss to the Marlins back on May 4 after being tagged for five runs (4 earned) and 11 hits through 5 2/3 innings.

Maddux is 19-14 with a 2.95 ERA over 41 lifetime starts against Florida.

The Marlins won two of three clashes with San Diego in Miami back in May. Florida split a four-game set against the Pads in the team's only visit to San Diego last season.