Colorado @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2013 ) Colorado 1, San Diego 2

The San Diego Padres are making the late innings their favorite time to hit. The Padres look to continue their run of dramatic victories when they go for a three-game sweep of the visiting Colorado Rockies on Sunday. San Diego is looking for its fifth win in six games and can move into a virtual tie with the Rockies for third place in the National League West with a win in the finale.

The Padres (64-77) are a game behind Colorado (66-77) in the NL West standings as both teams try to avoid falling behind the San Francisco Giants (63-79) and into the basement. San Diego got a walk-off single from Jesus Guzman in Friday’s 4-3 triumph and Jedd Gyorko hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth to secure a 2-1 victory on Saturday. The Rockies are losers of four of five but are getting strong starting pitching against the Padres.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Colorado), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Chad Bettis (0-3, 5.45 ERA) vs. Padres RH Ian Kennedy (6-9, 4.96)

Bettis is making his eighth start and still looking for his first major-league win after serving up nine earned runs across 10 2/3 innings in his last two turns. The 24-year-old Texan is having some trouble with his control, issuing 18 walks in 34 2/3 total innings. Bettis is expected to be backed up by veteran Roy Oswalt, who was activated off the disabled list on Friday.

Kennedy is 3-1 with a 4.04 ERA in six starts since joining San Diego and is coming off a win over San Francisco in which he allowed one run on five hits in six innings. The 28-year-old struggles with his consistency and failed to complete five innings in two of his last four turns. Kennedy is 3-3 with a 2.96 ERA in 14 career starts against Colorado.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies RF Michael Cuddyer (.328) is second in the NL in batting behind Atlanta’s Chris Johnson (.332).

2. San Diego 1B Yonder Alonso (right hand) might not play again this season.

3. Colorado CF Dexter Fowler (left knee) sat out Saturday and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Padres 4