Padres at Diamondbacks
The San Diego Padres, off to their best start since 1998, aim for a sweep of their four-game series Sunday against the host Arizona Diamondbacks and ace Zack Greinke. San Diego has won four straight and sits atop the National League West standings with an 11-5 record.
Rookie shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a two-run homer and outfielder Franmil Reyes delivered a solo shot in Saturday’s 5-4 victory as the Padres clinched their fourth series victory out of five played this season. Eric Hosmer and Manny Margot added two hits apiece for San Diego, which used six relievers in the victory and continued to rely on a bullpen that is second in the National League in innings. Arizona has lost four in a row and went 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position Saturday. Adam Jones and Nick Ahmed had two hits apiece, but first baseman Christian Walker went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and is batting .209 with two hits in his last 28 at-bats.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Eric Lauer (2-1, 4.76 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (1-1, 7.16)
Lauer allowed five runs over six innings against San Francisco on Monday but earned his second victory after the Padres rallied from an early deficit. Big innings have been a problem for the 23-year-old native of Ohio, who allowed four runs in the fourth inning of an 8-5 loss to Arizona on April 2. Ketel Marte is 4-for-8 with a home run versus Lauer, who is 1-1 with a 2.76 ERA in three games against the Diamondbacks.
Greinke received a no-decision Tuesday after allowing four runs (three earned) with nine strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings against Texas. The five-time All-Star has struggled early in his first three starts, giving up nine of the 14 runs he’s allowed in the first two innings. Margot (6-for-10, one home run) and Hunter Renfroe (6-for-15, three homers) have enjoyed success against Greinke, who is a stellar 12-2 with a 2.29 ERA in 23 career starts versus San Diego.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego closer Kirby Yates has converted a career-high 16 consecutive save opportunities dating to last season.
2. Arizona’s pitching staff has recorded at least 10 strikeouts in six consecutive games, tied for the second-longest streak in team history.
3. San Diego is 9-1 in games decided by two runs or fewer.