Mets at Padres
Christian Villanueva was part of a crowded mix at third base for the San Diego Padres in spring training, but he’s quickly emerged as the unquestioned starter. Villanueva leads all rookies with eight home runs and is riding an 11-game hitting streak for the Padres, who host the New York Mets on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series.
Villanueva and Franchy Cordero each homered while Austin Hedges drove in a career-high five runs in Saturday’s 12-2 victory, but the win may have come at a cost. Wil Myers, who missed 15 games earlier this month with an irritated nerve in his right arm, exited the contest in the fifth inning with a left oblique strain and is listed as day-to-day. The Mets lost for the fourth time in six games and need more production from their first basemen, especially with Adrian Gonzalez hitting .200 with two homers and 12 RBIs. Right fielder Jay Bruce could start receiving occasional starts at first base as soon as this week, which would allow manager Mickey Callaway to get hot-hitting outfielder Brandon Nimmo into the lineup more frequently.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (1-1, 4.24 ERA) vs. Padres RH Bryan Mitchell (0-2, 5.76)
Wheeler lasted a season-low four innings on Tuesday as he gave up four runs and six hits against St. Louis. The 27-year-old native of Georgia began the season with Triple-A Las Vegas before earning a promotion to New York, where he recorded quality starts in each of his first two outings. Wheeler is 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three career starts against San Diego, including a 1.50 ERA in two outings at Petco Park.
Mitchell still is seeking his first win with the Padres after allowing five runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings against Colorado on Monday. San Diego remains committed to keeping the 27-year-old in the rotation despite his early struggles, as he has registered nine strikeouts and 19 walks over 25 frames in five starts. Acquired from the New York Yankees during the offseason, Mitchell is making his first career start against the Mets.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets starting pitchers other than Noah Syndergaard or Jacob deGrom have a collective 6.11 ERA.
2. Cordero has homered four times in his last seven games.
3. Mets RHP Jeurys Familia will not be with the team Sunday as he attends a memorial service for his recently deceased father-in-law.