Padres at Astros
The Houston Astros won six of their first seven games in large part because they scored 41 runs in that stretch, but the San Diego Padres have quickly proven to be the kryptonite to their high-powered offensive attack. After scoring one run for the second straight game, the Astros hope to jump-start their offense Sunday when they host the Padres in the rubber match of their three-game set.
Houston managed a mere four singles in Friday's 4-1 series-opening defeat and have yet to record an extra-base hit through two games in this series. The defending World Series champions compounded those struggles by coming up empty on their first nine opportunities with runners in scoring position until Alex Bregman got the Astros' first hit in such a situation with two outs in the 10th inning of Saturday's 1-0 victory on an infield pop-up misplayed by San Diego first baseman Eric Hosmer, scoring pinch runner Derek Fisher from second base. The Padres squandered plenty of opportunities prior to that defensive miscue, as they couldn't score despite getting the leadoff runner on base five times - three times on doubles. Hosmer, who has yet to hit a homer and hasn't plated a run in his last six games, is still holding his own offensively, however, batting .314 overall after going 4-for-8 with two doubles in this series.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tyson Ross (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (1-0, 0.00)
Ross tallied only two strikeouts over six innings Tuesday, but his return to San Diego was still a successful one after holding the Colorado Rockies to three runs on five hits and three walks to get the win. The 30-year-old, who spent last season with the Texas Rangers after playing the previous four years with the Padres, recorded only three swinging strikes in his season debut. Ross won his only start versus the Astros last season, allowing three runs in 5 2/3 frames.
Morton was sharp en route to winning his fourth consecutive regular-season start Monday, limiting the Baltimore Orioles to three hits and two walks while fanning six over as many innings. The New Jersey native induced 17 swinging strikes in the effort and has performed well in 22 regular-season turns at Minute Maid Park, going 12-7 with a 3.99 ERA. Hosmer is 2-for-2 with a home run against Morton, who is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in eight starts versus the Padres.
WALK-OFFS
1. Saturday marked the second straight victory in which Bregman singled home Fisher from second base with two outs for the winning run.
2. San Diego RHP Kirby Yates was removed after one pitch in the eighth due to right ankle inflammation.
3. Hosmer is batting .392 during his 12-game hitting streak at Minute Maid Park.