Reds at Padres
The San Diego Padres got off to a bumpy start to their eight-game homestand with a pair of listless offensive performances but have a chance to turn things around against one of the National League's worst clubs. Having lost a season-high three in a row, the Padres look to get back on track when they open a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night.
San Diego managed only two runs in each of the two losses to division rival Colorado to fall a half-game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. "If there's one thing not to worry about it's this offense," said outfielder Wil Myers, who homered in each of the last two games. "We've got guys in here who are going to hit. We'll definitely get going." Cincinnati's bats also have gone cold, following a four-game winning streak by dropping four in a row while managing a combined seven hits in its last two defeats. The Reds were swept by the Dodgers to open their seven-game road trip and have lost all seven contests away from home this season.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS San Diego, FOX Deportes (San Diego)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Tanner Roark (0-0, 4.30 ERA) vs. Padres RH Chris Paddack (0-0, 1.29)
Roark pitched in and out of trouble in his last start versus St. Louis, allowing one run on six hits over a season-high 5 1/3 innings in his third consecutive no-decision. He was reached for three runs on seven hits over five innings at Pittsburgh in his previous turn and lasted just 4 1/3 innings in his season debut against Milwaukee, giving up three runs on six hits. Manny Machado is 3-for-8 with a homer off Roark, who owns 3-1 record and 2.90 ERA against the Padres.
San Diego has won each of Paddack's three starts but the rookie has not factored in the decision despite a pair of solid efforts, including 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball at Arizona last time out. The 23-year-old lasted only 3 2/3 innings at St. Louis in his previous turn, allowing only one run on one hit and four walks, and yielded just a run on two hits while striking out seven over five innings in his major league debut against San Francisco. Paddack has fanned 16 and allowed six hits.
WALK-OFFS
1. Padres SS Fernando Tatis has two homers and six RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.
2. Reds OF Yasiel Puig batted just .152 (5-for-33) against San Diego last year.
3. Padres 1B Eric Hosmer is 0-for-10 during the three-game skid, dropping his batting average to .194.