Diamondbacks at Padres
With the worst record at 18-35 and the third-fewest runs scored in baseball, the San Diego Padres haven’t given their fans much to cheer about in 2012. With Carlos Quentin and Cameron Maybin in the lineup at the same time, though, they are 1-0. The Padres will look to build on their new-found momentum when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.
San Diego exploded for six runs in the eighth inning Friday to defeat Arizona 7-1 and snap a six-game losing streak, and Quentin and Maybin each had run-scoring hits in the uprising. Quentin is 8-for-16 with seven RBIs in four games since returning from knee surgery and adds a much-needed presence to the San Diego lineup. Maybin hadn’t played since spraining his wrist against the Mets on Saturday.
San Diego’s Edinson Volquez has lost three consecutive outings and the Padres have scored 17 runs in his 11 starts. Volquez will oppose Arizona’s Daniel Hudson, who is 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in five starts against the Padres.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Daniel Hudson (1-1, 5.48 ERA) vs. Padres RH Edinson Volquez (2-5, 3.46 ERA)
Hudson allowed two runs in five innings Sunday in San Diego’s 4-3 victory over Milwaukee and didn’t receive a decision in his first appearance since April 18. Hudson was on the disabled list with an impingement in his right shoulder. The Padres’ roster is hitting .243 against Hudson, with Chris Denorfia 3-for-4.
Volquez allowed two runs in seven innings against Arizona in a 4-2 loss April 10 in his first start of the season. He yielded two runs in 5 2/3 innings in his last outing, a 2-0 setback at New York on Sunday. The Diamondbacks’ roster is batting .233 against Volquez, with Miguel Montero and Chris Young (homer) a combined 1-for-21.
WALK-OFFS
1. Jesus Guzman’s pinch-hit two-run homer broke a 1-1 tie and started the big inning Friday.
2. Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt has a 10-game hitting streak and is 15-for-35 during that span.
3. San Diego closer Huston Street (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Class A Lake Elsinore on Friday. He pitched one inning and struck out one.