Giants at Padres
The San Diego Padres figure to be in a salty mood Thursday when they return home to open a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants. The Padres went 3-3 against Houston and Colorado but ended their trip with a benches-clearing brawl Wednesday after Luis Perdomo threw behind Nolan Arenado in the third inning, resulting in five ejections.
Perdomo’s early exit came one day after Padres outfielder Manuel Margot was hit by Scott Oberg, forcing him to the disabled list with bruised ribs. Franchy Cordero was activated from the disabled list to replace Margot on the roster, and the 23-year-old promptly homered from the leadoff spot in Wednesday’s 6-4 loss to the Rockies. The Giants are beginning an 11-day, 10-game road trip after dropping two of three against Arizona, including Wednesday’s 7-3 loss. San Francisco has had to adjust minus three injured starting pitchers and continues to struggle at the plate, but catcher Buster Posey has opened the season on a tear - going 14-for-30 with two home runs and six RBIs during his nine-game hitting streak.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chris Stratton (0-1, 4.35 ERA) vs. Padres RH Bryan Mitchell (0-1, 4.22)
Stratton faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in his first two outings, allowing a total of six runs (five earned) on nine hits over 10 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old native of Mississippi earned a spot in the Giants’ rotation after posting a 3.29 ERA over 27 1/3 innings in spring training. Stratton owns a 1-1 record with a 6.43 ERA in two career games (one start) across seven innings against the Padres.
Mitchell bounced back from a rough Padres debut against Colorado by holding Houston scoreless over 5 2/3 innings last Saturday. “He really did a good job attacking the strike zone,” catcher A.J. Ellis told reporters. “That’s a really good hitting team over there. He had them pretty off-balance.” Acquired from the New York Yankees during the offseason, the 26-year-old is making his first career appearance against San Francisco.
WALK-OFFS
1. Seven of San Francisco’s first 11 games have been decided by two runs or fewer.
2. San Diego SS Freddy Galvis opened the season by reaching base safely in 12 straight games before going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Wednesday.
3. Giants OF Austin Jackson left Wednesday’s game in the seventh inning with a groin injury and is listed as day-to-day.