Diamondbacks at Padres
The Arizona Diamondbacks look to post their seventh consecutive victory at Petco Park when they visit the San Diego Padres on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series. The Diamondbacks also have won the last five overall meetings after capturing the first two games of the set, including Friday's 9-4 victory.
Paul Goldschmidt belted his 28th homer of the season and reached base five times (2-for-2, three walks) on Friday as Arizona's assault included 13 hits, six walks and one hit batsman. The Diamondbacks, who have scored 20 runs during their three-game winning streak, maintained their 1 1/2-game lead over Colorado in the National League West. The Padres, who have been outscored 30-13 during their five-game slide, have lost 16 of their last 22 contests and would drop 30 games below .500 with a defeat on Saturday. Wil Myers is struggling to find his timing as he is just 1-for-13 with seven strikeouts in four games since returning from a foot injury.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (13-6, 4.20 ERA) vs. Padres LH Clayton Richard (7-10, 4.98)
Godley has won four consecutive decisions since losing to San Francisco on July 1. The 28-year-old defeated Cincinnati in his last turn as he gave up two runs - one earned - and six hits over 6 2/3 innings. Godley is 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA in three appearances (two starts) against the Padres this season and 3-3 with a 4.66 ERA in 12 career meetings (eight starts).
Richard has gone 0-4 in nine turns since defeating the Giants on June 22. The 34-year-old produced a strong outing last time out but settled for a no-decision after holding the Los Angeles Angels to two runs and four hits over eight innings. Richard is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two outings versus Arizona this year and 10-6 with a 4.20 ERA in 19 career starts against the club.
WALK-OFFS
1. Diamondbacks 3B Eduardo Escobar, who homered and reached base four times on Friday, is 3-for-6 with four walks and four runs scored in the series.
2. San Diego recalled Miguel Diaz from Triple-A El Paso and optioned fellow RHP Kazuhisa Makita to the same affiliate.
3. Arizona OF Steven Souza Jr. drove in three runs for the second time this month while going 3-for-5 with two doubles on Friday.