Dodgers at Padres
Even in defeat, the San Diego Padres are showing why they could be a contender in the National League West for years to come. After falling by a run in the series opener, the Padres continue their three-game set against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.
Kenley Jansen struck out the side for his 11th save while Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor each homered in Friday’s 4-3 win as the Dodgers improved to 10-4 against NL West opponents. Los Angeles leads the league in runs scored (179) despite a slow start by shortstop Corey Seager, who has one hit in his last 26 at-bats and is hitting .224 after missing most of last season due to Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers were 14-5 against San Diego last year and have won the season series eight straight times, but Manny Machado’s arrival could help being the streak to an end. Machado has homered in two of the past of the last three games for the Padres, who boast the youngest starting rotation in the majors along with rookie of the year candidate Fernando Tatis Jr. (out with a strained left hamstring).
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (3-2, 4.94)
Hill made his season debut Sunday after recovering from a sprained right knee and allowed five runs (one earned) over six innings against Pittsburgh. The 39-year-old native of Massachusetts struggled early before settling in and retiring his last 13 batters. Wil Myers is 3-for-23 with 12 strikeouts against Hill, who is 6-4 with a 2.89 ERA in 11 career starts versus San Diego – including 1-2 with a 4.05 mark in three outings at Petco Park.
Lucchesi was staked to an early lead against Washington on Sunday but received a no-decision after giving up five runs (four earned) on nine hits over four innings. The 25-year-old Californian has posted a 34-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio with four homers allowed across six starts covering 31 innings. Lucchesi faced the Dodgers three times as a rookie last season, going 0-3 with 8.53 ERA while failing to pitch past the fifth inning in all three outings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers 3B Justin Turner is 9-for-23 with a home run during his six-game hitting streak.
2. San Diego optioned RHP Luis Perdomo to Triple-A El Paso and purchased the contract of OF Alex Dickerson from the Chihuahuas.
3. Dodgers INF David Freese has missed the last two games because of an ankle injury but is expected to return to the starting lineup Saturday.