The San Diego Padres are far from road warriors, but they used a four-run sixth inning to take the opener of their series versus the Seattle Mariners. The Padres will attempt to claim a series win on Wednesday against the Mariners, who have dropped their last three games. San Diego has limped to a 7-21 road mark this season and nearly let another one slip away after yielding three runs in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 5-4 win.
While San Diego has struggled on the road, Seattle is in no position to throw a parade for its play at home. The Mariners have dropped eight of 10 at Safeco Field to fall into last place in the American League West. Seattle's Michael Saunders ignited the three-run uprising in the ninth with a solo homer. The blast was his third in his last 12 games.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSSD (San Diego), ROOT (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jason Marquis (2-5, 7.65 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Hector Noesi (2-6, 5.99 ERA)
The bottom has fallen out for Marquis, who has lost his last five starts. The 33-year-old allowed four runs on nine hits in six innings in Thursday's 8-3 setback to San Francisco. Marquis, who has split two career decisions versus Seattle, began his losing streak after he matched a career high by walking six batters in a 7-0 loss to the Mariners on May 5.
Noesi has also struggled mightily - with his last win coming on May 6. The 25-year-old Dominican permitted six runs in his last two starts, although was able to walk away with a pair of no-decisions. Noesi walked a season-high five batters in four innings in Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego's Chase Headley, who had an RBI single on Tuesday, extended his hitting streak to 10 games. He has yet to face Noesi in his career.
2. Seattle is shuffling the deck as third baseman Alex Liddi and right-hander Blake Beavan are headed down to Triple-A Tacoma. While right-hander Erasmo Ramirez will join the rotation, the identity of the second player has not been divulged.
3. Cameron Maybin rebounded nicely after crashing into the fence in center field during Sunday's game. Maybin's RBI single snapped a tie in the sixth inning.