Padres at Phillies
After coming up short in their fifth attempt at a season-high five-game winning streak, the Philadelphia Phillies instead will vie for a second straight series victory when they host the San Diego Padres on Sunday afternoon for the rubber match of their three-game set. Philadelphia squandered an early three-run lead in Saturday's 5-3 setback.
J.T. Realmuto has homered in four of his last five contests and has collected nine RBIs during a six-game hitting streak for the Phillies, who felt one game behind the Chicago Cubs for the second National League wild card. Bryce Harper, who recorded four homers and 10 RBIs in a three-game span before going hitless on Saturday, never has faced San Diego starter Joey Lucchesi. Rookie Ty France, who was batting .399 at Triple-A El Paso when he was recalled on Friday due to injuries to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ian Kinsler, delivered the tiebreaking RBI single as the Padres won for the second time in six games. Eric Hosmer continued his tear for San Diego by collecting three hits and is 12-for-25 during his six-game hitting streak.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (7-7, 4.25 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Jason Vargas (6-6, 4.03)
Much like his team, Lucchesi has found victories difficult to come by since the All-Star break, falling to 0-3 over his last six outings after allowing three runs and five hits over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to Tampa Bay last time out. Consistency continues to elude the 26-year-old, who has permitted fewer than three runs in half of his starts during the winless streak. Jean Segura is 2-for-3 against Lucchesi, who has struggled away from home with a 1-4 record and bloated 6.15 ERA.
Set to make his fourth appearance since being acquired at the trade deadline, Vargas remains in search of his first win with the Phillies despite recording a pair of quality starts. He did not factor in the decision last time out despite limiting the Cubs to two runs and five hits over six innings, and took the loss at Arizona in his previous turn after yielding four runs in five frames. Vargas defeated the Padres on July 23, when he gave up just one hit over six scoreless innings while with the New York Mets.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Phillies placed OF Roman Quinn on the 10-day injured list due to a groin strain.
2. Padres 3B Manny Machado has hit safely in three straight contests after going 2-for-30 in his previous eight.
3. Philadelphia RHP David Robertson underwent Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss 14 to 16 months.