Padres at Nationals
After failing to hold a ninth-inning lead to secure a series sweep, the Washington Nationals will look to rebound when they begin a two-game set against the visiting San Diego Padres. Joey Votto's third homer of the game - a grand slam - prevented Washington from winning its fourth straight as Cincinnati rallied for a 9-6 triumph Sunday. The Nationals, who fell a half-game behind Atlanta in the NL East, will return home where they've held court to the tune of a 12-4 mark.
A less-than-potent offense reared its ugly head again for San Diego, which failed to come through with the timely hit in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Philadelphia. The Padres, who dropped two of three versus the struggling Phillies, have not managed more than three runs in their past eight games. The road has not been kind to San Diego, which is 3-9 away from home.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSSD (San Diego), MASN2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tim Stauffer (2011: 9-12, 3.73 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Ross Detwiler (3-2, 2.10 ERA)
Stauffer will make his 2012 debut after spending the campaign on the disabled list with a strained right elbow. He sandwiched rehab starts with Class A Lake Elsinore around one with Triple-A Tucson to work himself back into the rotation. Stauffer, who is expected to be officially activated Monday, has posted a 2-1 mark with a 1.66 ERA versus the Nationals.
Washington has presented Detwiler with two runs in each of his last four starts. As a result of the modest offense, the 26-year-old has split these decisions after yielding just seven runs and 18 hits in the four contests. Detwiler allowed three runs and seven hits in a 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh on Wednesday. He has yet to face San Diego in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Despite batting just .221 as a team, the Padres' pinch hitters are actually leading the league with a .358 batting average.
2. Washington rookie Byrce Harper busted out of a 1-for-17 slump by going 2-for-5 on Sunday. The 19-year-old did have some issues in the field, however, as he couldn't locate Jay Bruce's fly ball with two outs in the eighth inning. The ball landed well over his head for a two-run double.
3. San Diego is expected to option left-hander Josh Spence to Tucson to make room for Stauffer.