Padres at Diamondbacks
As they have matched the best start in franchise history, the Arizona Diamondbacks are sending an early message to their rivals in the National League West. The Diamondbacks are sitting atop the division as they begin a three-game series Friday against the visiting San Diego Padres.
The Diamondbacks have won all six of their three-game sets and have matched the 2008 team for the best record after 18 games at 13-5. Zack Greinke threw seven strong innings while A.J. Pollock and Ketel Marte homered in Thursday’s 3-1 win over San Francisco, but utilityman Chris Owings left the game in the third inning after colliding with Pollock and is listed as day-to-day. The Padres had a much-needed day off Thursday after being outscored 30-10 and swept in three games by the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Diego’s struggling offense could receive a boost as early as Friday, as injured outfielders Manuel Margot (ribs) and Wil Myers (elbow) both could return to the lineup.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tyson Ross (2-1, 3.50 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Matt Koch (0-0, 0.00)
Ross is looking to build on a strong outing against San Francisco last Friday, when he allowed an unearned run and seven hits while striking out five. “I’m getting a little older, a little wiser,” Ross told reporters. “I’m not trying to hump up and throw it as hard as I can, and trying to move the ball around a little bit, and having better command comes with that.” The 31-year-old has gone 4-3 with a 2.65 ERA in 13 career games (12 starts) against the Diamondbacks.
Koch is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Reno to start in place of Taijuan Walker, who will undergo Tommy John surgery next week to repair a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. The 27-year-old Koch has made one appearance this season at the major-league level, pitching two scoreless innings on April 7 in St. Louis. “He’s shown an ability to generate weak contact at the major-league level,” general manager Mike Hazen told reporters. “He throws strikes. He’s aggressive.”
WALK-OFFS
1. Arizona has won 11 of its last 12 games when scoring four or more runs.
2. The Padres activated RHP Kirby Yates from the 10-day disabled list and optioned RHP Luis Perdomo to Triple-A El Paso.
3. Diamondbacks OF David Peralta has reached base safely in 13 consecutive games and is 13-for-33 during his eight-game hitting streak.