Diamondbacks at Padres
The Diamondbacks conclude their three-game series with the Padres on Thursday, but Chris Denorfia wouldn’t mind if they stuck around. Denorfia’s two-run homer gave the Padres a 2-1 win on Wednesday, and he’s batting .358 in 67 career at-bats against Arizona. Five of his 18 career home runs have come against the Diamondbacks.
Unfortunately for the Padres, Denorfia is about the only one who’s figured out the Diamondbacks, who have won 11 of their last 16 games against San Diego dating back to last season. The Padres are hitting .183 with 20 runs over their first six games, but they’re hoping to get new acquisition Carlos Quentin back from knee surgery before the end of the month.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSAZ (Arizona), FSSD (San Diego)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (1-0, 4.05 ERA) vs. Padres RH Anthony Bass (0-1, 2.25 ERA)
Kennedy, who was 21-4 with a 2.88 ERA last season, allowed three runs on nine hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings against the Giants on opening day. Kennedy is 7-0 with a 1.95 ERA over his last eight starts, and he’s 5-0 with a 2.01 ERA against the Padres in his career. The Padres are hitting .117 (7-for-60) against Kennedy at Petco Park, and Will Venable is 4-for-21 (.190) with nine strikeouts.
Bass is getting the start in place of Dustin Moseley, who may need shoulder surgery. Bass, who was 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA in three starts last season, has primarily worked in relief in the major leagues. He was 0-0 with a 3.18 ERA in six relief appearances against the Diamondbacks last season.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Joe Wieland is expected to join the Padres from Triple-A Tucson and make his first career start Saturday against the Dodgers.
2. Stephen Drew (ankle) is scheduled to take four at-bats Thursday in an extended spring game.
3. Willie Bloomquist extended his hitting streak to 11 games (.319, 15-for-47) dating back to last season with two hits on Wednesday.