San Diego @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2011 ) San Diego 7, Pittsburgh 3

The Pittsburgh Pirates don't have many fond memories of the San Diego Padres' recent visits to PNC Park - the Padres have won nine straight in Pittsburgh since 2009 - but they hope to create some this weekend while maintaining their spot in the thick of the National League playoff race. Pittsburgh has split its last 10 games and is 2 1/2 games behind Cincinnati in the NL Central and in line for the second wild-card spot as it seeks to snap a 20-year postseason drought.

The Padres helped sink Pittsburgh's playoff hopes with a three-game sweep last August, and they come in on a hot streak, having won four straight and five of six. San Diego is 15-11 since the All-Star break

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Edinson Volquez (7-8, 3.73 ERA) vs. Pirates RH James McDonald (10-5, 3.42)

Volquez allowed four runs and left after 1 2/3 innings because of a blister on his thumb Saturday against the Mets, snapping a streak of four straight wins. It was his first loss since June 19. Volquez is 1-0 with a 3.67 ERA in seven starts against the Pirates, with the win coming in 2008.

McDonald has come back to reality after his phenomenal start to the season, going 1-2 with a 7.76 ERA in five starts since the All-Star break. He has allowed four or more runs in all five outings, and the Pirates have lost four of the five. McDonald is 1-1 with a 5.87 ERA in six games (three starts) against San Diego.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen, whose .369 average leads the majors, is 4-for-8 with a homer against Volquez.

2. The Padres recalled C Nick Hundley from Triple-A Tucson on Thursday and sent down C Eddy Rodriguez. Hundley began the season as the starter behind the plate but hit .166 in 55 games before being sent down June 30.

3. Pirates C Michael McKenry is riding a career-best nine-game hit streak.