Padres at Rockies
Victories have been elusive for the San Diego Padres in the early going this season as they attempt to post back-to-back wins for the first time when they visit the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. San Diego used a 13-hit attack in Monday's opener to edge Colorado 7-6 for only its third triumph of the year.
Jose Pirela and Austin Hedges, who was 2-for-24 entering the game, each recorded three hits and an RBI while Clayton Richard compensated for a rough effort on the mound by belting a three-run homer. Eric Hosmer registered his third two-hit performance in the first four contests of the Padres' six-game road trip but has gone eight games without an RBI and has only two on the season. The Rockies have lost three of four since going 3-1 at San Diego last week, averaging three runs in that span. Ian Desmond hit one of Colorado's three homers Monday, giving him two of his three blasts and six of his seven RBIs this season against the Padres.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (0-0, 2.79 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (0-0, 7.56)
Lucchesi will be making his third start of the season - and of his career - while filling in for the injured Dinelson Lamet. The 24-year-old Lucchesi hopes to duplicate the effort he produced at home against Colorado on Thursday, when he allowed one hit and struck out seven over five scoreless innings of a no-decision. Lucchesi made his major-league debut March 30 versus Milwaukee and avoided a loss after yielding three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 frames.
Anderson was just as effective opposite Lucchesi on Thursday, scattering four hits over six scoreless innings while also settling for a no-decision. It was a huge bounceback performance by the 28-year-old native of Nevada, who was battered in Arizona on March 30 for seven runs on five hits and four walks in 2 1/3 frames but escaped without a loss. Anderson owns a 1-1 record and 1.50 ERA in four career starts against the Padres.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rockies 2B DJ LeMahieu has recorded five two-hit performances in his last eight games, with four coming against the Padres.
2. San Diego placed Kirby Yates (ankle) on the 10-day disabled list Monday and recalled fellow RHP Buddy Baumann from Triple-A El Paso.
3. Colorado RHP Jeff Hoffman (shoulder) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Lancaster on Tuesday.