Pittsburgh @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 12, 2012 ) San Diego 5, Pittsburgh 11

After playing the longest game in the majors this season, the Pirates figure to be one tired group when they begin a three-game series in San Diego. They’re also going to be without promising rookie center fielder Starling Marte, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain. The Pirates’ 19-inning win over St. Louis on Sunday moved them two games ahead of the Cardinals for the second wild-card spot in the National League, while San Diego snapped a five-game losing streak with a 7-1 win over San Francisco on Sunday.

Pittsburgh has recalled Jose Tabata from Triple-A Indianapolis to replace Marte in the lineup, and the team is hoping Tabata was humbled by his surprising demotion to the minors. He hit .297 with no homers in 41 games with Indianapolis, and he’ll likely bat leadoff while Marte is out. The Pirates used eight pitchers in Sunday’s game, with Chris Resop, Kevin Correia and Jared Hughes each throwing at least two scoreless innings. Pittsburgh is 3-15 in its last 18 games against San Diego, which is 9-9 this month. Padres third baseman Chase Headley is batting .313 in August and leads the majors with 24 RBIs and 12 runs.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), Fox Sports SD (San Diego)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chris Leroux (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Padres RH Edinson Volquez (7-9, 4.31)

Wandy Rodriguez was scheduled to start Monday, but he pitched the final two innings and earned the win in Sunday’s marathon. As a result, the Pirates are expected to recall Leroux from Triple-A Indianapolis to make his first appearance in the majors this season. Leroux, who is 3-0 with a 2.26 ERA in 19 games (six starts) in Indianapolis, made 23 relief appearances with the Pirates last year.

Volquez is 1-2 with a 10.02 ERA in his five starts since pitching a one-hit, complete-game shutout against Houston on July 19. He’s 1-0 lifetime against the Pirates with a 4.60 ERA in eight starts, and he allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings against Pittsburgh on Aug. 10. Volquez is 3-5 with a 3.24 ERA in 13 starts at Petco Park this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates 2B Neil Walker has not started the last four games because of a dislocated pinky on his right hand, but he grounded out as a pinch hitter in Sunday’s game.

2. Padres 1B Yonder Alonso is batting .354 (29-for-82) while hitting safely in 17 of his last 21 games.

3. Pittsburgh is 18-14 in its last 32 games after losing three of its first four after the All-Star break.