Cincinnati @ San Diego preview
Petco Park
Last Meeting ( Mar 24, 2012 ) Cincinnati 6, San Diego 0
The San Diego Padres return home from a successful road trip to begin a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. San Diego went 7-3 on its 10-game trek, winning each of its last five contests - including three against the Diamondbacks for its first three-game sweep in Arizona. The five-game winning streak is the Padres' longest of the season.
Cincinnati fell one game behind Pittsburgh in the National League Central as it suffered its third loss in four games Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds, who are out of first place in the division for the first time since May 23, are continuing their 11-game road trip during which they are 3-4. They could again be without third baseman Scott Rolen, who has missed four straight contests with lower back spasms.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN (Cincinnati, San Diego)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mat Latos (7-2, 4.42 ERA) vs. Padres RH Edinson Volquez (5-7, 3.68)
After losing his first two decisions of the season, Latos has won seven in an row. The 24-year-old tossed his second consecutive complete game on Saturday at San Francisco, limiting the Giants to one run and two hits while striking out seven. Latos, who fanned 13 in his previous outing against Milwaukee, will be facing his former team for the first time.
Volquez, who was acquired from Cincinnati in the December deal involving Latos, is seeking his third straight victory. He allowed one earned run over six innings at Colorado on Saturday after tossing 6 2/3 scoreless frames against Seattle on June 24. Volquez is just 2-4 in 10 home starts this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego also obtained Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal from the Reds in the Latos trade. Grandal has belted four home runs in his last five games.
2. The Reds have used only their original five starting pitchers through their first 81 games of the season, the longest streak to begin a campaign for the franchise since 1898, when the club used only its five starters through its first 147 contests.
3. Padres IF-OF Alexi Amarista is batting .480 (12-for-25) with four home runs and 13 RBIs during his seven-game hitting streak.