New York @ Arizona preview
Chase Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2013 ) NY Mets 4, Arizona 1
Wilmer Flores has flourished during his brief time in the majors. With eight RBIs in five contests, Flores looks to continue his impressive run on Sunday as the visiting New York Mets vie for a series victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Flores drove in three runs with a pair of two-out singles to pace the Mets to a 4-1 triumph on Saturday.
After busting out for 20 runs during its three-game winning streak, Arizona revisited its offensive struggles by leaving the bases loaded in both the seventh and eighth innings on Saturday. The setback dropped the Diamondbacks 6 1/2 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and kept them 4 1/2 in back of Cincinnati for the second wild card. Arizona turns to right-hander Zeke Spruill, who will be making his first start on nine days' rest.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN (Arizona)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jonathon Niese (3-6, 4.32 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zeke Spruill (0-1, 6.48)
Niese makes his return from the disabled list after being sidelined with a partially torn left rotator cuff injury since June 21. "It's definitely a relief that I had zero soreness between rehab starts," Niese admitted on Saturday. The 26-year-old has struggled versus the Diamondbacks, posting a 1-2 career mark while allowing 21 runs in 22 1/3 innings.
After making four relief appearances, Spruill struggled in his first start of the season. The 24-year-old was battered for five runs - three homers - in four innings en route to a 7-1 loss to Texas. Spruill has pitched well in front of the home fans, scattering two hits over 2 1/3 scoreless innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arizona 3B/OF Martin Prado is 6-for-29 against Niese, with five of his hits going for extra bases.
2. New York CF Juan Lagares is 3-for-9 with a homer and two runs scored in the series. He has hit safely in seven of his last nine contests.
3. Diamondbacks OF Gerardo Parra returned to the starting lineup on Saturday after a three-game absence.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Mets 2