New York @ San Diego preview
PETCO Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 15, 2013 ) NY Mets 4, San Diego 1
The New York Mets look to even their record on their lengthy road trip when they continue their four-game set against the San Diego Padres on Friday. New York halted a three-game skid with a 4-1 triumph in Thursday's series opener as Marlon Byrd snapped a tie with a two-run double in the eighth inning. The victory raised the Mets' record to 3-4 on their 11-game trek, which concludes Monday in Minnesota.
The loss was the seventh in nine contests for San Diego, which could be without its slugger for the remainder of the season. Carlos Quentin, who has not played since July 30 because of a right knee injury, went for a second opinion Thursday as he continues to experience pain. "Carlos is in a situation where for him to do any baseball activities, it's painful, especially the defensive or on the running side," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He's feeling better, but not to the extent where he can get on the field."
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jon Niese (4-6, 4.45 ERA) vs. Padres RH Ian Kennedy (4-8, 4.97)
Niese returned from the disabled list to end his five-start winless streak as he picked up the win at Arizona on Sunday despite yielding four runs over six innings. The 26-year-old, who had been sidelined since late June with a partially torn rotator cuff, went 0-2 over his previous five starts but allowed three runs or fewer in each outing. Niese evened his career mark against San Diego at 2-2 on April 1, allowing two runs over 6 2/3 innings in his season debut.
Kennedy will be making his third start since being acquired from the Diamondbacks. The 28-year-old, who went 0-5 over his final 10 outings with Arizona, has allowed a total of four runs over 13 2/3 innings in his first two starts with San Diego. Kennedy has yet to lose to the Mets, going 4-0 with a 3.45 ERA in five outings versus New York.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego CF Will Venable enters with a career-best 12-game hitting streak.
2. Mets C John Buck hit his first home run since July 6 on Thursday, ending his 25-game drought.
3. Padres C Nick Hundley was placed on the paternity list Thursday as his wife gave birth to a baby girl earlier in the day.
PREDICTION: Padres 4, Mets 0