Dodgers at Padres
The San Diego Padres had been getting along just fine despite a slew of injuries to their everyday lineup - until they ran into Zack Greinke. The Padres will be looking to bounce back a day after being dominated when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the finale of their four-game series on Sunday. The Dodgers have won only four of their last 13 games but can clinch their second straight series split with a win.
San Diego is without center fielder Cameron Maybin, second baseman Jedd Gyorko, first baseman Yonder Alonso and shortstop Everth Cabrera but still found a way to win the first two games of the series against Los Angeles and nine of its previous 11 overall before running into trouble on Saturday. The Padres got Carlos Quentin (shoulder) back on Saturday but were forced to sit Kyle Blanks with a sore back. Los Angeles has scored five or more runs in each of its last four wins but has been below that mark in all but one of its last nine losses.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), FSN (San Diego)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Chris Capuano (2-4, 4.62 ERA) vs. Padres RH Andrew Cashner (5-3, 3.56)
Capuano came off the disabled list on Wednesday at New York and tossed six scoreless innings, allowing three hits without walking a batter. The veteran left-hander only needed 84 pitches in that outing and, as a result, will be asked to go on three days’ rest for the first time since 2005. Capuano faced the Padres three times in April, working a total of 2 2/3 scoreless innings over two relief appearances but getting knocked around for five runs on as many hits in two frames during the lone start.
Cashner has put together three straight quality starts, working into the seventh inning in each turn. The 26-year-old allowed 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings at San Francisco on Tuesday but limited the damage to three runs. Cashner made three relief appearances against Los Angeles in April and yielded a total of two runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Padres are hopeful Blanks can return to the lineup on Sunday.
2. Los Angeles SS Hanley Ramirez hit a solo home run on Saturday and is 10-for-18 with six RBIs in his last five games.
3. San Diego had an eight-game home winning streak snapped on Saturday, falling to 24-15 at Petco Park.