Padres at Dodgers
San Diego Padres outfielder Wil Myers was a forgotten man last month, but the 28-year-old remains a key part of the team’s rebuilding plans. Myers has been moved back into the second spot in the batting order for the Padres, who continue their four-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.
Myers extended his hitting streak to six games with three hits and Eric Hosmer went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Friday’s 5-2 victory as the Padres evened the series at one win apiece and improved to 44-1 when leading after eight innings. Myers started just three times last month as the Padres gave an extended look to Manuel Margot in center field, but Franmil Reyes’ trade to Cleveland earlier this week created an opportunity for the veteran to see regular playing time moving forward. The Dodgers had their three-game winning streak halted on Friday despite the play of Cody Bellinger, who went deep for the 36th time this season and 100th in his career. Bellinger reached the 100-homer mark in his 401st game - becoming the fastest player in Dodgers history to reach the milestone as he surpassed Mike Piazza, who hit his 100th shot in his 422nd contest.
TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS San Diego, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Cal Quantrill (4-2, 3.57 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (9-2, 3.38)
Quantrill saw his streak of 18 scoreless innings come to an end last Saturday but recorded the victory after holding San Francisco to one run over 5 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old rookie went 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in three starts and one relief outing last month. A first-round pick of the Padres in the 2016 draft, Quantrill is set to make his first career appearance against the Dodgers.
Buehler is looking to bounce back after giving up seven runs - four earned - and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings in a loss to Washington on Sunday. “I just didn't execute enough,” Buehler told reporters. “I got myself in bad counts and made some pitches that got too much of the plate.” The 25-year-old worked seven strong frames against San Diego on May 27 and is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in two career starts versus the club.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers OF A.J. Pollock missed Friday’s game due to a groin injury but could return in the series.
2. San Diego RHP Kirby Yates has recorded 13 strikeouts over six innings in his last five contests.
3. Los Angeles placed LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu on the 10-day injured list with neck soreness and recalled RHP Tony Gonsolin from Triple-A Oklahoma City.