San Diego @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2013 ) San Diego 8, Philadelphia 2
Philadelphia pitcher Cliff Lee dominated San Diego hitters in his last outing against them before coming up winless and looks to silence the Padres when the Phillies host the second contest of the three-game set Wednesday. Lee took a four-hit shutout and three-run lead into the ninth inning June 24 in San Diego and was removed after the first two hitters reached base. Jonathan Papelbon blew the save and the Padres went on to a 4-3 victory in 10 innings.
Jedd Gyorko and Chase Headley each had three-hit games as the Padres won 8-2 on Tuesday for their fourth straight win and sixth in seven games. San Diego’s Ronny Cedeno continues to impress while filling in for All-Star shortstop Everth Cabrera and had two hits and two RBIs in the opener for his sixth multi-hit outing in his last 12 games. Philadelphia’s Cody Asche hit his third homer in six games – and fifth overall – and September represents an opportunity for him to show the organization he’s ready to be the every-day third baseman next season.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Eric Stults (8-13, 4.07 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cliff Lee (12-6, 3.01)
Stults hasn’t won since July 14 and he is 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA over his last nine outings. He was rocked for seven runs and nine hits (including three homers) in 4 2/3 innings while losing to the San Francisco Giants in his last turn. Stults is 3-9 with a 5.04 ERA in 15 road starts this season.
Lee was moved up a day for this start due to Roy Halladay coming down with the flu. He struck out 10 in eight dominant innings against Atlanta in his outing when he allowed one run, two hits and no walks. Lee is 1-2 with a 4.42 ERA in six career starts against the Padres.
WALK-OFFS
1. Headley is 6-for-13 with three RBIs against Lee.
2. Phillies C Cameron Rupp made his major-league debut Tuesday and went 1-for-4.
3. Padres 1B Jesus Guzman leads the majors with 13 RBIs as a pinch hitter. The franchise record is 19 by Jerry Turner in 1978.
PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Padres 2