Cincinnati @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 29, 2013 ) Cincinnati 1, San Diego 2

Cincinnati’s Mat Latos and San Diego’s Edinson Volquez square off for the second time since being dealt for each other after the 2011 season when the Reds visit the Padres in Tuesday’s second contest of a three-game set. Neither pitcher was involved in the decision in San Diego’s 2-1 victory on July 5, 2012. Volquez spent four seasons with the Reds and won a career-best 17 games in 2008, while Latos won 27 games in 2 1/2 seasons with the Padres.

San Diego posted a 2-1 walkoff victory in Monday’s opener when pinch hitter Chris Denorfia drilled a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth off Aroldis Chapman to hand the Reds their fourth straight defeat. Cincinnati is 4-5 on an 11-game road trip and has fallen five games behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central. The Padres also received first baseman Yonder Alonso, catcher Yasmani Grandal and reliever Brad Boxberger in the four-for-one deal for Latos.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mat Latos (10-3, 3.39 ERA) vs. Padres RH Edinson Volquez (8-8, 5.70)

Latos has won back-to-back outings and four of his last six starts. He allowed two runs (one earned) and eight hits in 7 2/3 innings while beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last turn. Latos took a no-decision in last season’s start against the Padres despite giving up four hits in seven scoreless innings.

Volquez is experiencing a tough season but has won his past two starts. He defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in his last turn when he gave up three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. Volquez is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Reds.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati’s last two games have ended with walk-off homers by the home team – Los Angeles’ Yasiel Puig on Sunday – and the Reds have scored just three runs during their skid.

2. Padres OF Carlos Quentin (knee) was scratched from Monday’s lineup and has 13 RBIs over his last 10 games.

3. Reds OF Shin-Soo Choo (ankle) missed the opener and is questionable for Tuesday’s game.

PREDICTION: Reds 7, Padres 3