San Diego @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( May 11, 2013 ) San Diego 7, Tampa Bay 8

The Tampa Bay Rays have uncharacteristically struggled on the mound this season, but their offense is starting to make a habit of bailing them out. The Rays look to stay hot with the bats as they go for the three-game sweep of the visiting San Diego Padres on Sunday. Evan Longoria’s walk-off homer Saturday in the bottom of the ninth clinched a fourth straight victory and Tampa Bay is at .500 (18-18) for the first time since April 7. The Rays have produced 48 runs in the last seven contests.

The Padres led 3-0 in the first game of the series and came from four runs back to take a 7-6 lead before losing Saturday. San Diego has managed only 11 hits in the last two games and struck out 29 times. Chase Headley has hit safely in 14 of the last 15 games for the Padres, going 21-for-57 with nine RBIs.

TV: 1:40 p.m. ET, Fox Sports San Diego, SunSports (Tampa)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Eric Stults (3-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. Rays RH Roberto Hernandez (1-4, 4.66 ERA)

Stults has allowed three or fewer runs in four of his seven starts, including the last two. The left-hander gave up one run on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings Tuesday to beat Miami 5-1. Stults has struck 29 and walked only eight in 40 innings, throwing at least five innings in six of seven turns. The 33-year-old has never pitched against Tampa Bay.

Hernandez has decent numbers, except in the win-loss column. The 32-year-old allowed five hits and one run over six innings in his last start without getting a decision against Toronto. Hernandez has given up 35 hits in 36 2/3 innings and struck out 37 while walking only 11. Carlos Quentin is 3-for-9 with a pair of homers against Hernandez, who has never faced San Diego.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay has sent at least nine batters to the plate in an inning four times in the first six games of its homestand.

2. San Diego OF Will Venable is 8-for-19 with three homers and five RBIs in the last eight games.

3. Longoria has reached base at least once in 35 of 36 games this season and 49 of his last 50, dating back to 2012.

PREDICTION: Padres 6, Rays 3