Arizona @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 15, 2013 ) Arizona 4, San Diego 6

The San Diego Padres look to move above .500 for the first time in two-and-a-half years Sunday when they go for a series sweep of the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. The Padres have won eight of their last 10 contests to move within three games of Arizona for the division lead, and are at .500 for the first time since April 10, 2011. They haven’t been above .500 since the final day of the 2010 season.

The Diamondbacks have lost five of their last seven games, but catcher Miguel Montero is doing his part. Montero belted his fourth homer Saturday, and is 10-for-26 over his last seven games. San Diego’s Yasmani Grandal also homered Saturday, and the Padres are hoping the three-run blast is a sign of things to come for the promising catcher.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (3-4, 5.49 ERA) vs. Padres LH Clayton Richard (1-5, 8.06)

Kennedy is available to pitch while appealing his 10-game suspension for hitting two batters in Tuesday’s game against the Dodgers. The 28-year-old right-hander allowed two runs over 6 1/3 innings and remained winless (0-4) in his last eight starts against National League West opponents. Will Venable is 6-for-31 against Kennedy, who gave up five runs in 5 2/3 innings against San Diego on May 5.

Richard is looking for his first win this month after allowing 10 runs in his last 10 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old has given up at least five earned runs in five of his last six starts, including a dismal outing against Arizona on May 4 when he was pulled after 3 2/3 innings. Paul Goldschmidt is 5-for-11 against Richard, who is 6-1 with a 4.61 ERA in nine career starts against the Diamondbacks.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego SS Everth Cabrera is tied with Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury for the major league lead with 31 steals.

2. Arizona is 14-7 in the final game of a series.

3. The Padres are 20-7 in their last 27 games at Petco Park after starting the season with a 1-7 home record.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 7, Padres 2