Diamondbacks at Padres
Rookie center fielder Manuel Margot figures to return to the starting lineup Thursday as the San Diego Padres face the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks in the rubber match of their three-game series. The slumping Margot sat for the first time Wednesday but contributed a pinch-hit single as the Padres snapped their five-game losing streak with a 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks.
Along with right fielder Hunter Renfroe, Margot is expected to be a key part of the rebuilding effort in San Diego. The 22-year-old has recorded two hits and one walk in his last 18 plate appearances but already has pushed his way into the National League Rookie of the Year discussion with a .262 average, three home runs and six RBIs. While San Diego is experimenting with several rookies and three Rule 5 selections, Arizona possesses a veteran lineup led offensively by Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb, who has reached base safely in 14 consecutive games. The Diamondbacks are 4-5 on their 10-game road trip and received an encouraging outing Wednesday from Zack Greinke, who threw a complete game and held the Padres to five hits with six strikeouts.
TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Arizona, FSN San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (1-2, 2.81 ERA) vs. Padres LH Clayton Richard (1-2, 3.60)
Corbin allowed five runs - three earned - and nine hits over six innings in Saturday’s 8-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 27-year-old posted a 3.95 ERA in five games (one start) against San Diego last season and has gone 3-4 with a 3.54 ERA in 11 career appearances (six starts) versus the Padres. Corbin has had his difficulties with Hector Sanchez, who has recorded seven hits in 13 at-bats.
Richard tossed eight scoreless innings in his season debut against the Dodgers but has struggled in his last two outings, allowing a total of nine runs - eight earned - over 12 frames in back-to-back losses. The 33-year-old has pitched well in his career against Arizona, going 8-3 with a 3.97 ERA in 13 starts. Yasmany Tomas is 4-for-7 with a home run against Richard, who has posted a 2.95 ERA in 58 career games (56 starts) at Petco Park.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego 1B Wil Myers is 16-for-39 with two home runs and seven RBIs during his 10-game hitting streak.
2. Arizona RHP Archie Bradley is riding a career-high 13 1/3-inning scoreless streak.
3. The Padres placed Jarred Cosart on the 10-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain and recalled fellow RHP Kevin Quackenbush from Triple-A El Paso.