Padres at Diamondbacks
Nothing has come easy of late for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have seen eight of their last 14 games decided by one run. The Diamondbacks look to snap a three-game losing streak on Monday when they begin a brief two-game set against the San Diego Padres, who are beginning an eight-game road trip.
Arizona lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers by a 3-2 score for the third straight day on Sunday when Matt Kemp delivered a walk-off two-run double off Archie Bradley after closer Brad Boxberger opened the ninth with back-to-back walks. A.J. Pollock snapped a 0-for-27 slump with an eighth-inning single, but the Arizona offense was held to three runs or fewer for the ninth time in the last 10 games. Arizona fell one game behind the first-place Dodgers in the National League West standings but hopes to bounce back against the cellar-dwelling Padres, who have lost two in a row following a season-high four-game winning streak. Hunter Renfroe singled in Sunday’s 7-3 loss to Colorado and is 15-for-42 during his career-high 10-game hitting streak, while Wil Myers is 2-for-20 with nine strikeouts over his last five games.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Bryan Mitchell (0-3, 7.08 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (14-7, 4.42)
Mitchell is making his first appearance since landing on the disabled list nearly three months ago with a right elbow injury. The 27-year-old native of North Carolina began the season in the team’s rotation but moved to the bullpen after posting a 6.47 ERA in his first seven starts. “I think there’s been some positive signs in his (rehab) outings and some things we like that he’s attempted to adjust,” manager Andy Green told reporters. “He’s still the same live-arm guy that we liked in the beginning of the year.”
After giving up 11 runs in his previous two starts, Godley rebounded with a stellar outing Wednesday by holding San Francisco to one run and two hits in 7 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old native of South Carolina has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last six turns. Myers is 8-for-18 with a home run against Godley, who is 3-3 with a 5.23 ERA in 13 career games (nine starts) versus San Diego – including 2-0 with a 4.67 mark in four games (three starts) this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arizona is 10-4 against San Diego this season, including 6-1 over the past seven matchups.
2. San Diego is 6-71 when trailing after six innings.
3. Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt is 24-for-55 with three homers and 14 RBIs versus the Padres this season.