San Diego @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2018 ) San Diego 6, Cincinnati 12

The Cincinnati Reds might be suffering through a dismal season but the club has set a record for grand slams. The slam count stands at 10 as Cincinnati hosts the San Diego Padres on Saturday in the third contest of a four-game set.

Scott Schebler hit the record-breaking slam to snap a tie with the 2002 club during Friday's 12-6 win while Phillip Ervin went deep twice for the first multi-homer contest of his career. Ervin went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and four runs scored to help the Reds break a four-game losing skid after being just 2-for-22 over the previous seven games. San Diego left fielder Hunter Renfroe is making his case to be viewed as a starter entering next season after slamming his ninth homer in the past 20 games to take over the team leadership with 21. First baseman Eric Hosmer went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs while halting a 14-game stretch without a blast.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Robbie Erlin (3-5, 3.87 ERA) vs. Reds RH Matt Harvey (6-8, 4.95)

Erlin has dropped consecutive starts and allowed four runs in each of the setbacks. The 27-year-old has struggled on the road with a 5.01 ERA over 41 1/3 innings, much higher than his 2.92 mark in 49 1/3 home innings. Erlin made his lone career appearance against the Reds earlier this season when he allowed a homer to Scooter Gennett in 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Harvey lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates in his last turn when he gave up three runs and seven hits over six innings. The 29-year-old has served up 17 homers in 20 starts (6-6, 4.43 ERA) for the Reds since being acquired from the New York Mets. Harvey is 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA in three appearances (one start) against the Padres this season and stands 3-2 with a 4.00 ERA in eight career outings (six starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Gennett (thigh) went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts Friday after missing one game and his National League-leading average dipped to .317.

2. San Diego 3B-OF Wil Myers is 3-for-7 in the series after being 2-for-25 over the previous seven contests.

3. Cincinnati SS Jose Peraza went 2-for-5 with three RBIs on Friday and is 7-for-13 with a homer and four RBIs over the past three contests.

PREDICTION: Reds 10, Padres 7