Colorado @ San Diego preview
Petco Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2012 ) Colorado 3, San Diego 4
The San Diego Padres' late-season surge can be attributed to its success at Petco Park. The Padres will attempt to win their fifth straight home series on Sunday when they play the rubber match of their set with the Colorado Rockies. Jesus Guzman went deep for the first time since July 25 with a three-run homer as San Diego posted its 18th win in 24 contests with a 4-3 triumph on Saturday.
Winning at home has fueled that charge as the Padres have claimed 22 of 29 at Petco Park to move to within six games of .500. Colorado has ventured in the wrong direction, dropping eight of its last 10. Rockies infielder Chris Nelson, however, continues to provide a spark by going 14-for-27 with two homers and eight RBIs in his last seven contests.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), FSSD (San Diego)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Alex White (2-8, 5.18 ERA) vs. Padres LH Andrew Werner (2-1, 2.59)
White is searching for his first win since June 3 when he takes the mound on Sunday. The 24-year-old pitched well in his last outing, yielding just one run before departing after four innings. White struggled against San Diego on Aug. 31, allowing three runs and walking as many in 3 2/3 innings to take the loss.
Werner, who will make his fifth career start on Sunday, allowed one run on four hits in 6 1/3 innings to secure a victory over Arizona in his last outing. The 25-year-old has struck out 23 in 24 1/3 innings while limiting the opposition to just three homers. Werner has yet to face the Rockies in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Colorado's Jordan Pacheco has proven to be quite versatile. The rookie is expected to play his second game at catcher in place of injured Ramon Hernandez, who is sidelined for the season with a hamstring injury. Pacheco has also at played both third and first base.
2. Werner has dominated left-handed batters, holding them to a paltry .121 average (4-for-33)
3. Colorado SS Josh Rutledge, who went 0-for-4 on Saturday, has failed to get a hit in 21 consecutive at-bats.