Cardinals at Padres
The San Diego Padres aren’t sure who will be on their roster two years from now when they’re hoping to contend for a division title, but first baseman Eric Hosmer's place on the team is a virtual certainty. Hosmer signed a long-term deal with the club during the offseason and has provided immediate dividends for the Padres, who look to salvage a split of their four-game series against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.
Hosmer grounded into a double play with two runners on in the 10th inning Saturday before responding with an RBI double in the 13th inning Saturday to give San Diego a 2-1 victory. The Padres hoped they might have another centerpiece of their rebuilding plan in third baseman Christian Villanueva, but the 26-year-old is hitless in his last 36 at-bats after hitting .338 with eight home runs in April and could begin losing playing time to Cory Spangenberg. The Cardinals were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position on Saturday with infielder Matt Carpenter out of the starting lineup for a second straight day. The struggling two-time All-Star is hitless in his last 15 at-bats and batting .145 overall with three homers.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (1-2, 3.45 ERA) vs. Padres LH Clayton Richard (1-5, 5.72)
Wainwright has been sidelined since April 20 with inflammation in his right elbow but was cleared to return following a strong bullpen session on Thursday. The three-time All-Star has 69 career road wins, which ranks fifth in franchise history and leads active National League pitchers. Hosmer is 2-for-15 with five strikeouts against Wainwright, who is 6-3 with a 2.07 ERA in 13 career games (10 starts) against San Diego.
Richard was a hard-luck loser against Washington on Tuesday, allowing three runs with no walks and eight strikeouts over eight innings. “He was sharp,” manager Andy Green told reporters. “Loved what he did. Attacked early. We just didn’t do anything offensively to support him. He looked good all day.” Dexter Fowler is 6-for-32 against the 34-year-old Richard, who owns a 4-1 record and 3.83 ERA in 14 career games (seven starts) against St. Louis.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cardinals have won eight of their last 11 games at Petco Park.
2. The Padres recalled Spangenberg from Triple-A El Paso and designated 3B Chase Headley for assignment.
3. St. Louis manager Mike Matheny announced that RHP Jack Flaherty will be recalled from Triple-A Memphis to start Tuesday's series opener at Minnesota.