Jimenez vs. Johnson again tonight in San Diego

SAN DIEGO - It's almost time for the long-awaited rematch between Ubaldo Jimenez and Erik Johnson.

Giving the public what it demands.

Jimenez got back into the rotation Wednesday night and held the Padres to two runs and four hits over six innings in a 7-2 victory at Camden Yards. He also walked four batters, struck out seven and threw 104 pitches while lowering his ERA from 7.34 to 6.97.

Jimenez has avoided a return trip to the bullpen and he's opposing Johnson again tonight at Petco Park in the opener of a two-game series.

In 15 games (14 starts) this season, Jimenez has gone 4-7 with a 6.97 ERA and 1.944 WHIP over 71 innings. He's 8-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 14 career starts against the Padres and 4-4 with a 4.59 ERA in nine starts in San Diego.

Matt Kemp is 14-for-41 with three doubles, a triple and two home runs against Jimenez. Melvin Upton is 5-for-17 with a double and Jon Jay is 3-for-8 with two doubles and a home run.

Jimenez has posted a career 3.47 ERA in 40 games with Caleb Joseph catching him and a 7.68 ERA in 18 games with Matt Wieters behind the plate. However, Joseph remains on an injury rehab assignment - he caught for the first time last night at Single-A Frederick - and won't be activated before Wednesday.

Wieters caught Jimenez on Wednesday and it turned out fine.

Manager Buck Showalter indicted on Sunday that Joseph would catch Vance Worley tonight at Frederick. If that's the case, and Joseph indicated to reporters last night that he's ready to be activated now, he won't rejoin the Orioles before Thursday's series opener in Seattle.

Johnson was 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA in two starts with the White Sox this season and he's gone 0-3 with a 9.82 ERA in three starts with the Padres. Right-handers are batting .415 against him and left-handers are hitting .288.

Adam Jones is 2-for-3 against Johnson. Jonathan Schoop and Mark Trumbo are 2-for-2 with a home run.

Jones, a San Diego native, is 16-for-37 (.432) lifetime against the Padres with a double, two home runs, seven RBIs and nine runs scored. He's 11-for-20 (.550) with two home runs, five RBIs and six runs scored at Petco Park.