Diamondbacks at Padres
After losing back-to-back games in similar fashion, the Arizona Diamondbacks hope to change the script Wednesday against the host San Diego Padres. Arizona is looking to avoid a sweep after losing the first two contests on sixth-inning home runs by the Padres, who have pulled into a second-place tie with the Diamondbacks in the National League West.
San Diego first baseman Eric Hosmer belted a two-run homer in Tuesday’s 3-2 victory while closer Kirby Yates struck out the side in the ninth for his 19th save. The Padres moved a game over .500 but need more production from outfielder Wil Myers, who was batting .303 through his first 81 plate appearances but has 10 hits in his last 67 at-bats with 35 strikeouts over that stretch. Arizona has lost four in row and could be without David Peralta in the series finale after the outfielder was removed from Tuesday’s game due to right shoulder soreness. Eduardo Escobar and John Ryan Murphy each homered in the loss for the Diamondbacks, who have scored a total of five runs in their last three games.
TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Merrill Kelly (4-4, 4.21 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Lauer (2-4, 5.24)
Kelly evened his record after allowing six hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings against San Francisco last Friday. “He’s pounding the strike zone, especially these last couple of starts, and he’s seeing the results,” outfielder Adam Jones told reporters. “It’s fun to play behind him because he works fast and throws strikes.” The 30-year-old rookie is 1-0 with a 5.73 ERA in two previous starts versus San Diego covering 11 innings.
Lauer received a no-decision last Thursday after holding Pittsburgh to two runs (one earned) on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old native of Ohio has not pitched a full six innings in any of his past five starts. Ketel Marte is 6-for-11 with two home runs against Lauer, who gave up three runs in five innings in a loss to Arizona on April 14 and owns a 1-2 record and 3.38 ERA in four career starts against the Diamondbacks.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yates has faced 38 batters over his last nine games and recorded 23 strikeouts.
2. Arizona placed Wilmer Flores on the 10-day injured list with a bruised right foot and recalled fellow INF Ildemaro Vargas from Triple-A Reno.
3. San Diego C Francisco Mejia (knee) began a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday and went 2-for-3 with a solo home run.