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While everyone else focuses on interleague play, the Padres
begin a three-game series against the host Brewers. The majors’ worst team at
19-39, San Diego has lost 13 of its last 16 games. Injuries have forced the
Padres to use 10 different starting pitchers, and that number will climb to 11
this Saturday when Andrew Cashner moves from the bullpen to replace Eric Stults
(lat) in the rotation. After Saturday’s outing, Cashner will be optioned to the
minors to build his endurance before rejoining the Padres’ rotation on a
permanent basis.
The Brewers have also been hit by injuries, but they’re just 5 1/2
games behind first-place Cincinnati after winning seven of their last 10 games.
Milwaukee 3B Aramis Ramirez (quad) appeared as a pinch hitter
in Thursday’s 4-3 win over the Cubs, but he’s been out of the starting lineup
for five straight games. Norichika Aoki hit two home runs on
Thursday, including the game-winner, and he’s making a strong case for more
playing time. The rookie outfielder is batting .303 with three homers and seven
doubles in 119 at-bats.
TV: 8:10
p.m. ET, Fox Sports SD (San Diego), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING
MATCHUP: Padres RH Edinson Volquez (2-5, 3.42 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Shaun Marcum
(4-3, 3.39 ERA)
Volquez is
3-2 with a 5.17 ERA in nine career starts against the Brewers, and he’s pitched
well at Miller Park, where he’s 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA in five starts. Volquez has
walked at least four batters in a game five times this season, and the Padres
are 0-4 in his last four starts.
Marcum has
won his last two starts while posting a 1.29 ERA over 14 innings. Marcum, who is
2-0 with a 3.15 ERA in three career starts against the Padres, gave up one run
over seven innings last Saturday against Pittsburgh. He’s 2-1 at home this
season with a 4.06 ERA in five starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks is hitting .600 with
two home runs in his past 10 at-bats against Volquez.
2.
The Padres transferred SS Jason Bartlett from the 15-day disabled list to the
60-day disabled list, meaning he won’t return until after the All-Star break.
3. The
Brewers have won 66 straight games when taking the lead into the eighth inning.