Padres at Dodgers
The San Diego Padres are in the thick of the National League wild card race and have shown some encouraging signs with back-to-back wins following a five-game losing streak. The Padres look to head into the All-Star break on a high note Sunday when they conclude their four-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hunter Renfroe homered for the second straight game and Manuel Margot added a two-run blast in Saturday’s 3-1 victory as the Padres improved to 3-5 versus the Dodgers this year. San Diego received a scare in the eighth inning when rookie star Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch on his left elbow, but the 20-year-old shortstop was able to stay in the game. The Dodgers were held to six hits and have lost back-to-back home games for the first time since April 12-13. Cody Bellinger, who became the fastest player in Dodger history to reach 30 homers by the All-Star break earlier this week, saw his six-game hitting streak come to an end after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (6-4, 3.91 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (3-2, 3.45)
Lucchesi received a no-decision last Sunday after allowing two runs on four hits with six strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings against St. Louis. The 26-year-old native Californian has a 2.76 ERA in 10 home starts but owns a 6.10 mark in six outings away from Petco Park. Enrique Hernandez is 3-for-11 with a homer against Lucchesi, who gave up three runs in five innings versus Los Angeles on May 4 and is 0-3 with a 7.64 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers.
Stripling moved from the bullpen into the rotation in place of Rich Hill (left forearm strain) and has allowed a total of six runs (five earned) over his last two starts covering 7 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old is still being stretched out after posting a 1.86 ERA in six games (one start) across 9 2/3 innings last month. Eric Hosmer has one hit in 10 at-bats against Stripling, who is 4-4 with a 2.61 ERA in 13 career games (five starts) versus San Diego.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego is seeking its first series win at Dodger Stadium since April 29-May 1, 2016.
2. Dodgers INF David Freese (hamstring) will be activated from the injured list Friday following the All-Star break.
3. San Diego is 35-2 when leading after seven innings.