Atlanta @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 27, 2012 ) Atlanta 0, San Diego 3

The San Diego Padres are the hottest team in the majors but their eight-game winning streak could be in jeopardy when they face the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. Atlanta starter Kris Medlen is on a roll and threw a five-hit shutout against the Padres on Aug. 16 and followed that up with seven shutout innings against the Washington Nationals. The Padres won Monday’s series opener 3-0 to hand the Braves their seventh loss in 10 games.

Catcher Yasmani Grandal was San Diego’s hitting star by driving in all three runs – including a two-run homer – and rookie pitcher Casey Kelly combined with three relievers for Monday’s shutout victory. It was the 11th time Atlanta has been blanked this season. The Braves are slumping at a bad time but still lead the National League wild-card race. San Diego pitchers kept Jason Heyward in the ballpark after the Atlanta outfielder homered in each of the previous three games. The Padres have outscored opponents 43-16 during their winning streak.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, SportsSouth (Atlanta), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kris Medlen (5-1, 1.86 ERA) vs. Padres LH Anthony Werner (1-0, 3.00)

Medlen is 4-0 in five starts since moving into the rotation. He has allowed only three runs in 32 2/3 innings during the stretch. Medlen also has fanned 29 and walked only five since becoming a starter. He is 1-2 with a 2.19 ERA in five career appearances (one start) against San Diego.

Werner defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in his major-league debut Aug. 22. He allowed two runs and four hits in six-plus innings. Werner was 5-10 in stops at Double-A and Triple-A this season before his recent recall.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego has won five straight games at Petco Park to even its home record at 32-32.

2. Braves 3B Chipper Jones (oblique) was back in the starting lineup and was hitless in three at-bats, and grounded into a game-ending double play.

3. Padres OF Carlos Quentin went 0-for-3 in the opener to end an eight-game hitting streak.