San Diego @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 11, 2012 ) San Diego 5, Pittsburgh 0

The San Diego Padres seek a season-best seventh straight victory while trying to extend the Pittsburgh Pirates' misery when the three-game series concludes Sunday. The Padres have dominated the series in Pittsburgh with 11 consecutive victories in the Steel City dating back to 2009. Pittsburgh has lost three consecutive games and six of nine to fall 4 1/2 games behind the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central. San Diego won six straight from June 30-July 5.

Padres third baseman Chase Headley has three homers and eight RBIs in the series – driving in five in the opener and three Saturday when Jason Marquis tossed a two-hit shutout. Headley has six homers and 19 RBIs over his last 14 games. He has set career highs for homers with 18 and RBIs with 70. Ross Ohlendorf of the Padres draws the Sunday start against the club in which he won a career-best 11 games for in 2009. The Pirates lead the majors with a 35-20 home mark but are once again having an issue with the Padres, who are 28-9 at PNC Park. Pittsburgh star Andrew McCutchen is 0-for-7 in the series.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, Root Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Ross Ohlendorf (4-2, 5.61 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Erik Bedard (6-12, 4.53)

Ohlendorf is making his seventh start for San Diego. He defeated the Chicago Cubs in his last outing when he gave up two runs (one earned) and three hits in six innings. Ohlendorf’s only previous appearances against Pittsburgh was 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in 2008 when he was a member of the New York Yankees.

Bedard has never lost to the Padres, going 4-0 with a 1.63 ERA in four career starts. He is coming off a strong outing in which he tossed seven innings of two-hit shutout ball while beating the Cubs. The victory was only Bedard’s second in his last eight decisions.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Pirates have lost 15 of their last 17 overall to San Diego.

2. With Padres closer Huston Street (calf) on the disabled list, right-handers Luke Gregerson and Dale Thayer will share the save opportunities.

3. Pittsburgh has allowed 36 runs in its last five games with the five allowed Saturday representing the low total during the stretch.