Reds at Padres
One day after getting burned by the hot bat of Jose Peraza and the even-hotter one of Scooter Gennett, the San Diego Padres discovered how much easier life can be when they keep the Cincinnati Reds' middle infielders in check at the plate. The Padres take aim at their fifth win in six contests Sunday, when they host the Reds in the rubber match of their three-game set.
Peraza recorded three hits and three RBIs while Gennett homered in Cincinnati's 7-2 series-opening victory on Friday, allowing the former to extend his multi-hit streak to four games and the latter to continue a 16-game stretch during which he has hit .400. Both players doubled but did nothing else one night later in the Padres' 8-2 triumph, as Eric Lauer and four relievers had little problem making an early four-run lead stand up. Manuel Margot is 3-for-7 in this series after entering the weekend batting .204 and sparked San Diego's four-run second inning on Saturday with a two-run double. The Reds (3-5) already are guaranteed a losing record on their nine-game road trip through the National League West, although the club can take some pride in its 18-23 mark under interim manager Jim Riggleman after beginning the season 3-15 under Bryan Price.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (4-5, 5.49 ERA) vs. Padres RH Tyson Ross (4-3, 3.29)
Castillo's three-game winning streak came to an end with Tuesday's loss in Arizona as he surrendered five runs - four earned - on four hits and three walks in five innings. The 25-year-old Dominican had yielded fewer than three earned runs in each of his previous five outings - a stretch during which he went 3-1 with a 2.83 ERA. Castillo did not factor in the decision in his only previous start versus the Padres, allowing three run over six frames in August.
Ross failed to last six innings for the first time in six May outings on Tuesday, leaving after 5 1/3 frames and 87 pitches as he gave up three runs and six hits against Miami. The 31-year-old has yielded a total of one homer over his last four starts - and five on the season, and San Diego is 8-3 with him on the mound. Ross hasn't faced Cincinnati since 2015, but he is 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) versus the Reds.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego LHP Jose Castillo struck out the side in the eighth inning in his major-league debut on Saturday.
2. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez recorded 29 RBIs in May but has driven in only run over his last seven games.
3. San Diego's 21-13 record against Cincinnati since 2013 is the club's best versus any NL opponent over that time.