San Diego @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2013 ) Philadelphia 7, San Diego 5

The Philadelphia Phillies, coming off a three-game sweep of the National League East-leading Atlanta Braves, showed they had no interest in playing out the string. Philadelphia, which will host the San Diego Padres for the first of three games Tuesday, improved to 13-10 under interim manager Ryne Sandberg with three straight one-run victories at home over the Braves. All three wins came when the Phillies scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning or after.

While Philadelphia was getting late clutch hitting in its sweep, San Diego was using the same formula in its three-game weekend sweep of Colorado. The Padres came away with the victory in each of their three games against the Rockies despite being tied or behind in the seventh inning or later – the first time they have accomplished that feat since 1998. San Diego lost two of three when it hosted Philadelphia in late June and needs two wins to avoid losing the season series to the Phillies for the seventh straight season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Andrew Cashner (8-8, 3.45 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Tyler Cloyd (2-3, 3.57)

Despite not allowing more than one earned run over seven innings in each of his last three turns, Cashner settled for his second straight no-decision in San Diego's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 31. The 19th overall pick of the 2008 draft is 0-3 over his last five outings despite a 2.18 ERA in part because the Padres have scored two runs or fewer four times during that span. Cashner has faced the Phillies six times as a reliever (1.80 ERA), but will make his first career start against them.

Cloyd will rejoin the rotation in place of Ethan Martin and make his first start since Aug. 20, when he suffered the loss after giving up five runs over six innings against Colorado. The Nebraska native last pitched five scoreless relief innings despite tying a career high with five walks Aug. 24 during an 18-inning loss to Arizona. Cloyd has never faced San Diego, but will attempt to improve upon his 0-4 record and 5.45 ERA in six all-time home appearances (five starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia is 11-2 in one-run contests under Sandberg after going 14-21 in such games under former manager Charlie Manuel.

2. San Diego is 14-31 against the Phillies since 2006.

3. Philadelphia closer Jonathan Papelbon has been credited with a blown save and a win in the same game three times this season, the most in the majors.

PREDICTION: Padres 3, Phillies 2