Marlins at Padres
Despite some encouraging signs in recent weeks, the San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins are a combined 24 games under .500 and hold firm grasps on last place in their respective divisions. The teams begin a four-game series Monday at Petco Park eager to end the month on a positive note.
Justin Bour belted his 10th homer in Sunday’s 5-2 loss to Washington as the Marlins were swept in the three-game set as they fell to the Nationals for the 11th straight time. Miguel Rojas started at third base in place of Martin Prado (hamstring) while J.T. Riddle made his second start at shortstop since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans and is 0-for-8 with five strikeouts since arriving. San Diego dropped two of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers but received a spark from Jose Pirela, who recorded three hits in Sunday’s 6-1 loss and went 8-for-13 for the series. The rebuilding Padres have been giving an extended look to rookie outfielder Franmil Reyes, but the 22-year-old is batting .167 after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Sunday.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Caleb Smith (3-5, 3.83 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Lauer (1-2, 6.67)
Smith snapped a two-game skid on Tuesday by holding the New York Mets to one run and three hits while registering eight strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings in a 5-1 victory. The 26-year-old Texan has allowed three runs or fewer in eight of his 10 starts. Smith, who is making his first career appearance against San Diego, leads all rookies with 65 strikeouts and owns a 3-3 record and 2.41 ERA over his last six starts.
Lauer matched a career high in both innings pitched (six) and strikeouts (seven) against Washington on Tuesday, when he allowed one run and six hits. “I thought, hands down, it was his best outing," manager Andy Green told reporters. “I was really encouraged.” The strong outing marked a return to form for the 22-year-old rookie, who gave up 10 runs and 13 hits over seven innings in his previous two starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Miami took the 2017 season series against the Padres with a 5-1 record, which included a three-game sweep at home from August 25-27.
2. San Diego acquired RHP Phil Hughes, cash and the 74th overall pick in the 2018 draft from Minnesota for C Janigson Villalobos.
3. Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto is 10-for-23 with four RBIs and two runs scored in his last five contests.