San Diego @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 14, 2012 ) San Diego 0, Atlanta 6

Atlanta hopes the success it enjoyed Tuesday is the start of better results against left-handed pitching. After being stifled by southpaws in losses Sunday and Monday, the Braves broke through against San Diego lefty Clayton Richard in a 6-0 victory Tuesday. Atlanta improved to 20-25 in games started by left-handers. The Padres are 3-2 on their current seven-game road trip against the two teams (Atlanta and Pittsburgh) that lead the NL wild-card standings.

San Diego sends Edinson Volquez to the mound for the third game of the four-game set hoping the right-hander can throw strikes. Volquez leads the majors in walks with 84 and has struggled mightily in his past three starts. Atlanta left-hander Paul Maholm makes his third start for the Braves since being traded from the Cubs at the trade deadline. Maholm fired a complete-game three-hit shutout against the Mets on Saturday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports San Diego (San Diego), SportSouth (Atlanta).

PITCHING MATCHUP: San Diego RH Edinson Volquez (7-8, 4.03 ERA) vs. Atlanta LH Paul Maholm (10-7, 3.50).

Dealing with a blister and lack of command has hurt Volquez in his past three starts. The right-hander has allowed 15 runs and 15 hits with 11 walks in his past 10 innings. Volquez lasted just 3 1/3 innings Friday at Pittsburgh, after going only 1 2/3 innings against the Mets on Aug. 4.

It would be hard for Maholm to pitch any better than he did against the Mets in his last outing. Maholm threw just 95 pitches (64 strikes), did not walk a batter and struck out five. In his past nine games, the left-hander is 6-1 with a 1.18 ERA, striking out 45 while walking 11 in 61 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego P Dale Thayer is now 6-for-6 in save opportunities after closing out the Braves on Monday. Thayer, who picked up five saves earlier this season, is closing again after Huston Street landed on the disabled list with a left calf injury.

2. The Padres have won six of nine series since the All-Star break.

3. Atlanta OF Matt Diaz, on the disabled list since July 21 with a thumb injury, will undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season.