Arizona @ San Diego preview
Petco Park
Last Meeting ( May 17, 2011 ) San Diego 1, Arizona 6
THE STORY: The San Diego Padres begin a nine-game homestand on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and it’s likely several of their top players will be elsewhere when they hit the road again. The Padres are looking to trade closer Heath Bell and Ryan Ludwick before this Sunday’s trade deadline. For their part, the Diamondbacks are seeking help in the starting rotation.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona, Channel 4SD
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Joe Saunders (6-8, 3.82 ERA) vs. Padres RH Dustin Moseley (3-9, 3.19 ERA)
Saunders, who gave up two runs on five hits over seven innings last Wednesday against the Brewers, has recorded a quality start in six of his last seven outings. He is 2-3 with a 5.01 ERA in five career starts against the Padres. Moseley allowed three unearned runs over six innings last Thursday against the Atlanta Braves. His 2.71 run support average is second lowest in the majors, and the Padres are 1-6 in Moseley’s last seven starts.
ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (55-47): Arizona signed first-round draft pick Trevor Bauer. The starting pitcher could make his professional debut this Saturday with High-A Visalia. The third overall pick in this year’s first-year player draft, Bauer was named Collegiate Baseball’s National Player of the Year. Right fielder Justin Upton was named the National League Co-Player of the Week after leading the majors with 11 RBIs and 27 total bases during that span. Upton batted .519 (14-for-27) with five doubles. Gerardo Parra sat out Sunday’s win over the Colorado Rockies after being hit on his left wrist Saturday, but he could return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday. With closer J.J. Putz (elbow tendinitis) expected back Tuesday, Arizona demoted reliever Ryan Cook to Triple-A Reno. Putz had 21 saves in 25 opportunities before being placed on the disabled list July 1. In the rotation, Micah Owings earned another start after throwing five scoreless innings against the Rockies on Sunday.
ABOUT THE PADRES (45-58): One game after robbing Raul Ibanez of a home run with his catch in center field, Chris Denorfia stole home on Monday to help the Padres end a 10-game skid against the Philadelphia Phillies. “I just love playing the game,” said Denorfia, whose straight steal of home was the Padres’ first since 1999. “I love coming to the ballpark every day. I hope my play shows that." Denorfia was playing center field in place of Cameron Maybin, who left Sunday’s game early after suffering a left hip flexor injury. Maybin, who is hitting .422 (19-for-45) with 10 steals and 11 RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak, is expected to avoid the disabled list. Two players currently on the disabled list are making progress, but there’s no timetable for their return. Catcher Nick Hundley (elbow) played catch for the second time in as many days on Monday, and he’s hoping to take batting practice later this week. Starting pitcher Clayton Richard (shoulder) played catch Sunday, but there’s no indication he’s close to beginning a rehab assignment.
FINAL PITCH: The Padres have not opened their series well. They have won 10 of the last 31 series openers.