San Diego @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 3, 2013 ) San Diego 4, NY Mets 8

The New York Mets could not have asked for a better start, getting solid pitching and pounding four home runs in the first two games. The Mets send Dillon Gee to the mound in search of a three-game sweep against the visiting San Diego Padres on Thursday. One of the Mets’ concerns was getting production from their outfielders and they have delivered two homers and eight RBIs in two outings. Left fielder Lucas Duda is the key and he belted a long home run Wednesday before muscling a double to right field.

The Padres have struggled on the mound and will need a big effort from 33-year-old Eric Stults. San Diego has managed only 10 hits with third baseman Chase Headley out of the lineup because of a fractured right thumb. Sore-kneed left fielder Carlos Quentin has RBIs in each of the first two games.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports San Diego, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Eric Stults (2012: 8-3, 2.91 ERA) vs. Mets RH Dillon Gee (2012: 6-7, 4.10)

Stults pitched well for the Padres after he was claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. The left-hander doubled his career total of victories in a five-month span and won seven of his last eight decisions. Stults had not won since 2009 when he joined San Diego. He is 2-1 lifetime against the Mets with a 2.57 ERA in 21 innings.

Gee slots into the middle of the rotation, returning from suffering a blood clot in his pitching shoulder which ended last season in July. Gee was 4-3 with a 2.97 ERA in his last 10 starts before being shut down. The right-hander allowed 15 runs in 23 innings during the spring. Gee is 2-0 in a pair of appearances against the Padres with a 1.32 ERA in 13 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets captain David Wright has three hits and three walks in nine career at-bats against Stults.

2. San Diego C Nick Hundley, who batted .157 in 2012, had a pair of hits Wednesday - including an RBI double.

3. It is the third time in club history the Mets have scored eight-plus runs in each of their first two games of the season.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Padres 3