San Diego @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2018 ) San Diego 6, Arizona 2

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been on a downward spiral of late, but they still have plenty of time to right the ship and get back into a playoff spot. Arizona looks to halt its four-game losing streak when it hosts the National League West-rival San Diego Padres on Tuesday for the finale of their two-game set.

The Diamondbacks dropped a 6-2 decision in the series opener, registering only five hits en route to falling 1 1/2 games behind division-leading Colorado and two back in the race for the second wild card in the NL. Paul Goldschmidt recorded an RBI double to extend his hitting streak to five games, although it marked just the second game over his last eight in which he has driven in a run. Eduardo Escobar has hit safely in four of his last five contests after notching a double and scoring both runs for Arizona, which has lost eight of its last 11 games. San Diego has won five of its last seven contests after rookie Franmil Reyes registered his first career two-homer performance on Monday to extend his hitting streak to nine games.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (7-7, 3.59 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (4-2, 4.55)

Lucchesi is coming off a victory over Seattle on Wednesday in which he allowed one run and six hits while registering a career high-tying nine strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. It was the longest outing in the major leagues by the 25-year-old Californian rookie, who has given up fewer than three earned runs in four of his last five turns. Lucchesi will be making his fifth attempt at defeating Arizona, as he has posted a 7.71 ERA while losing his first four career starts versus the club.

Ray ended his 10-start winless streak on Thursday, when he limited the Los Angeles Dodgers to one run and four hits over 5 1/3 innings to improve to 3-1 on the road this year. The 26-year-old native of Tennessee settled for seven consecutive no-decisions prior to the victory, allowing fewer than three earned runs in four of those outings. Ray is 4-4 with a 4.40 ERA in 11 career starts against San Diego, including a pair of no-decisions this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reyes has collected six home runs and 10 RBIs during his hitting streak.

2. San Diego activated Kirby Yates from the bereavement list and fellow RHP Luis Perdomo (shoulder) from the 10-day disabled list.

3. Arizona purchased the contract of RHP Yoan Lopez from Double-A Jackson and transferred 3B Jake Lamb (shoulder) to the 60-day DL.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 7, Padres 2