New York @ San Diego preview
PETCO Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 4, 2013 ) San Diego 2, NY Mets 1
The New York Mets attempt to rebound from a disappointing series when they visit the San Diego Padres for the opener of a four-game set Thursday. New York swept a three-game home series against the Colorado Rockies before beginning its 11-game road trip by winning two of three versus the Diamondbacks in Arizona. The Mets then headed to Los Angeles, where they held the lead in all three contests against the red-hot Dodgers but failed to come away with a victory.
After dropping consecutive 4-2 decisions, New York was two outs away from a triumph by the same score but ultimately suffered a 5-4 loss in 12 innings Wednesday. San Diego has lost three straight series since capturing two of three from the New York Yankees on Aug. 2-4. The Padres have dropped four of their last six games, scoring only two runs in each defeat.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN (San Diego)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (5-2, 3.63 ERA) vs. Padres RH Tyson Ross (3-5, 2.75)
Wheeler is coming off his fourth win in five decisions on Saturday, when he allowed just one run in 6 1/3 innings at Arizona. The 23-year-old did not walk a batter after issuing at least two free passes in each of his first nine major-league starts. Wheeler, who is 4-0 with a 2.21 ERA in six road outings, will be facing San Diego for the first time.
Ross has won three of four starts since rejoining the rotation, including Saturday's victory at Cincinnati in which he limited the Reds to one run and four hits over seven innings. The 26-year-old has yielded a total of four runs and 12 hits over 27 frames while going 3-1 in those outings. Ross, who never has faced the Mets, is 0-1 in two home starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego OF Will Venable enters with a career-best 11-game hitting streak.
2. Mets OF Marlon Byrd hit the 100th home run of his career in Wednesday's loss.
3. New York rookie 3B Wilmer Flores (twisted right ankle) was kept out of the starting lineup for the second straight game Wednesday, but delivered a single as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning.
PREDICTION: Mets 5, Padres 1