San Diego @ Arizona preview
Chase Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 28, 2013 ) San Diego 1, Arizona 0
After a less-than-stellar 10-game road trip, the Arizona Diamondbacks look to remain in the postseason discussion when they open a three-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres. The Diamondbacks legged out an 18-inning victory over Philadelphia on Saturday before dropping a 9-5 decision in the series finale. A.J. Pollock capped a three-hit performance with a three-run homer for Arizona, which finished 4-6 on the trip to remain seven games behind Cincinnati in the race for the second wild card in the National League.
Like the Diamondbacks, the Padres weren't shy about working overtime this weekend. Nick Hundley ripped a two-out RBI single in the 15th inning for his third career walk-off hit as San Diego posted a 3-2 triumph over the Chicago Cubs to seize the rubber match of the three-game set. The Padres, who claimed two of three from Arizona on July 26-28, have won eight of 12 in the season series.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tyson Ross (3-6, 2.85 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Brandon McCarthy (2-8, 5.44)
After a pair of impressive one-run, seven-inning outings, Ross struggled in his last trip to the mound. The 26-year-old permitted five runs in 6 1/3 innings en route to an 8-1 loss to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Ross handcuffed Arizona in the last meeting on July 28, scattering three hits and striking out seven over eight scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory.
McCarthy saw his losing streak hit five games on Wednesday after getting blitzed for seven runs in 2 1/3 innings en route to a 10-7 setback to Cincinnati. The 30-year-old last won on May 24 with a dominating one-run, five-hit performance versus San Diego. That victory was McCarthy's lone one at home this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arizona INF Martin Prado, who received Sunday off following Saturday's marathon, is batting a blistering .357 since the All-Star break.
2. San Diego OF Will Venable has improved on Prado's mark, batting .368 since the Midsummer Classic. He is 0-for-3 versus McCarthy, however.
3. Diamondbacks 2B Aaron Hill sat out Sunday as he nurses a groin injury. He has hit safely in 16 of 17 contests.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Padres 2