Padres at Diamondbacks
The San Diego Padres look to record their sixth victory in the past eight games when they open a four-game set against the host Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. Arizona is 3-2 to start a nine-game homestand after dropping a 5-2 decision to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.
The Padres are receiving a boost from free-agent signee Manny Machado and the third baseman hit his third homer of the season to snap a sixth-inning tie and help his club post a 3-1 road victory over the San Francisco on Wednesday. Outfielders Wil Myers (.326, three homers) and Hunter Renfroe (.324 average, team-best four homers) and are also off to strong starts for a team that has smacked 17 homers. New starting Arizona first baseman Christian Walker fanned in all four at-bats Wednesday and is 2-for-22 with 10 strikeouts in the past six games after opening the season strong by hitting three homers during a 7-for-15 stretch. Right fielder Adam Jones, a San Diego native, went 5-for-14 with a homer and two doubles when the teams met for three games last week in his hometown.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Pedro Avila (NR) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (1-1, 6.55)
Avila will be called up from Double-A Amarillo to make his major-league debut. The 22-year-old from Venezuela gave up one run and two hits in six innings in his lone start for Amarillo, which represents his only outing above the Class A level. Avila went 7-9 with a 4.27 ERA in 24 appearances (20 starts) for Lake Elsinore of the California League last season.
Godley defeated the Boston Red Sox in his last turn when he gave up one run and three hits over 5 2/3 innings. The results weren't so good in his first outing when he gave up eight runs (seven earned) and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Godley, who turns 29 on April 21, is 4-4 with a 5.32 ERA in 15 career appearances (11 starts) against the Padres and has been roughed up by Myers (8-for-19, one homer) and has served up two homers to Franmil Reyes (2-for-6).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Diamondbacks won two of three games against the Padres last week, accumulating 18 runs in the two victories.
2. San Diego RHP Kirby Yates converted his seventh straight save opportunity in Wednesday's win over the Giants.
3. Arizona recalled C Caleb Joseph from Reno and optioned RHP Jon Duplantier to the same Triple-A club.