Pittsburgh @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 8, San Diego 1

Strong starting pitching has been the key for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who go for a three-game sweep of the host San Diego Padres on Wednesday night. The Pirates have limited the Padres to two runs in the first two games behind stellar performances from Francisco Liriano and A.J. Burnett to boost their lead in the National League Central to two games. The Pirates flexed their offensive muscles as well Tuesday, collecting six extra-base hits.

San Diego managed only six hits in each of the first two games while striking out 26 times. The inability to make contact has been a recurring theme in the Padres' last four losses - they have fanned a staggering 54 times in that span, leading manager Bud Black to state the obvious: "We are scuffling." Rookie Jedd Gyorko accounted for the only run Tuesday with a solo homer - his fourth blast in nine games and 14th of the season.

TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN (San Diego)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Gerrit Cole (6-5, 3.88 ERA) vs. Padres RH Ian Kennedy (4-9, 5.12)

Cole halted a three-start winless drought last time out by limiting Arizona to two runs and five hits over six innings. He has permitted six hits or fewer in seven straight outings but surrendered one homer in five of those seven starts. The former No. 1 overall pick has not been ruffled by pitching on the road, posting a 2-1 record and 2.66 ERA in three starts away from home.

Kennedy is coming off a rocky performance - his third start with the Padres since he was acquired from Arizona - when he was roughed up for five runs and three homers over 4 2/3 innings in a 5-2 loss to the New York Mets. He also tied a season high with four walks in falling to 1-6 in his last 13 starts. Kennedy has made four career starts verus Pittsburgh, logging a 1-1 mark and 3.75 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Pirates had three triples Tuesday, the third time this season they've accomplished that.

2. Padres 3B Chase Headley has struck out 14 times in his last six games.

3. Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen has reached base in all 18 games this month, including 11 multi-hit games.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Padres 3