San Diego @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 27, 2011 ) San Diego 1, Arizona 3

THE STORY: The Arizona Diamondbacks have taken advantage of the San Diego Padres’ sloppy defense and unproductive at-bats to win back-to-back games, and they’ll aim for a series sweep Sunday behind staff ace Ian Kennedy, who is seeking his National League-best 17th win. Arizona holds a three-game lead over San Francisco in the National League West, while San Diego has lost three straight.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Channel 4SD, FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Cory Luebke (5-6, 2.91 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (16-4, 3.09)

Luebke has gone 4-4 with a 2.71 ERA in 11 starts since joining the rotation on June 26. He is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in three career games – one start – against Arizona. He lost to the Diamondbacks on July 27 at Petco Park, allowing four runs on three homers.

Kennedy gave up six hits while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings against the Nationals last Tuesday. Kennedy is 3-0 with a 2.40 ERA in five career starts against San Diego, and he’s completed seven innings in four of his five August starts.

ABOUT THE PADRES (60-73): Cameron Maybin was scratched before Saturday’s game with right wrist irritation, ending San Diego’s season-high streak of seven consecutive games with the same lineup. With Maybin out, Logan Forsythe went 1-for-4 in his debut as the Padres leadoff hitter. Forsythe has been playing regularly at third base with Chase Headley (finger) out, and he was hitting .275 in his last 40 at-bats entering Saturday’s game. First baseman Jesus Guzman has hit safely in 20 of his last 24 games, going 30-for-90 (.333) with 17 RBIs. However, Guzman’s defense could easily keep him from being an everyday player next season. He has committed two errors in the last four games, and he might fit best as a designated hitter in the American League. The Padres are likely to have top prospect Anthony Rizzo starting at first next season, but they may keep Guzman as insurance in case Rizzo struggles early.

ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (74-59): Manager Kirk Gibson is seemingly pushing all the right buttons this season, and that continued Saturday when he started rookie Paul Goldschmidt over veteran Lyle Overbay, who entered the game batting .409 (9-for-22) against Padres starter Aaron Harang. Goldschmidt blasted a double in the sixth inning and later scored, and he’s batting .264 after going 1-for-3 on Saturday. Don’t expect to see reliever Juan Gutierrez or first baseman Xavier Nady back anytime soon. Gutierrez (elbow) has been shut down for the season, and Nady is questionable to return this year after breaking his left hand on Aug. 12. The news is better for reliever Alberto Castillo (shoulder), who landed on the disabled list July 30 and could rejoin the Diamondbacks in the next few weeks. Reliever David Hernandez left Saturday’s game after being hit on his leg with a comebacker, but he should miss just a few games.

FINAL PITCH: Arizona catcher Miguel Montero’s double in the first inning Saturday tied his own single-season club record for a catcher with 43 extra-base hits.