San Diego @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2012 ) San Diego 9, Pittsburgh 8

The San Diego Padres seek their 11th consecutive victory in Pittsburgh when they face the Pirates and A.J. Burnett in Saturday’s second contest of the three-game series. San Diego rallied from six runs down for a 9-8 victory in the opener behind two homers and five RBIs from Chase Headley and hasn’t lost in Pittsburgh since Sept, 18, 2009. The Padres have won five straight games overall and have a sharp 27-9 record at PNC Park.

Burnett has been one of the hottest pitchers in the majors and narrowly missed his second career no-hitter two starts ago when he one-hit the Chicago Cubs. His next win will make him the first Pittsburgh pitcher to win 15 games since Todd Ritchie in 1999. The Pirates are 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central. San Diego’s rally was its biggest of the season as Headley increased his RBI count to 67, establishing a new career-high. Headley, who homered from both sides of the plate for the first time in his career, has 17 homers. His previous best output was 12 in 2009.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports San Diego, ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jason Marquis (5-6, 4.10 ERA) vs. Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (14-3, 3.19)

Marquis has won four of his last five starts. He defeated the New York Mets in his last outing when he gave up three runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. Marquis is 12-7 with a 3.92 ERA in 24 career starts against Pittsburgh.

Burnett has won four straight decisions and has allowed just five runs during the stretch. He surrendered two runs and three hits in 8 2/3 innings while beating the Reds in his last outing. Burnett’s lone career win against San Diego was the no-hitter he tossed against the Padres in 2001. Overall, he’s 1-4 with a 4.54 ERA in five career starts versus San Diego.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego closer Huston Street is 21-for-21 in save opportunities but suffered a calf injury in Friday’s victory and manager Bud Black said afterward he fears Street will miss some games.

2. Pittsburgh OF Andrew McCutchen went hitless in four at-bats in the opener and is batting just .204 in 15 career games against the Padres.

3. Pirates 2B Neil Walker is 5-for-7 lifetime against Marquis.