Padres-Reds Preview
CINCINNATI -- The San Diego Padres are without center fielder Jon Jay, one of their better hitters against left-handed pitching throughout this weekend's series in Cincinnati.
But, no matter. Despite facing a trio of left-handers in each of the first three games, the Padres scored 23 runs.
On Friday night, Andy Green's club became the first team in franchise history to score runs in each of the first eight innings in a 13-4 victory. Saturday, they needed only three runs to shut out the Reds, assuring them of a series victory.
San Diego hasn't lost a season series against the Reds since 2012, going 15-6 against them since.
On Sunday, the Padres get a reprieve from lefties with right-hander Anthony DeSclafani making his fourth start since coming off the disabled list.
He'll be opposed by rookie right-hander Luis Perdomo (2-2, 9.00 ERA) as the Padres go for the sweep. He is making his fifth career start and 20th career appearance Sunday.
Green said as first baseman Wil Myers and right fielder Matt Kemp go, so go the Padres.
"We've always been driven by Matt and Wil," Green said. "When those guys are swinging the bats well, they kind of drive the bus for us."
Lately, it's been everyone up and down the lineup.
Catcher Derek Norris, who was batting .167 in mid-May, has hit safely in 14 of 19 games. Left fielder Melvin Upton Jr. is on pace for 23 homers and 34 stolen bases.
"Melvin Upton has been outstanding," Green said. "Those numbers are a rare feat."
Over 23 games this month, the Padres have hit .281 and averaged 5.7 runs while posting a 13-10 record.
San Diego's average is the best in the National League and second-best in the major leagues this month behind only the Detroit Tigers. The Padres' 132 runs also rank first among NL clubs and second in baseball behind only the Orioles.
DeSclafani will be looking to reverse that trend Sunday. DeSclafani, among the key elements in the Reds' rebuilding process, is 1-0 with a 2.30 ERA since returning from an oblique injury suffered late in spring training.
"He was such a big part of our rotation last year," said manager Bryan Price. "He was scheduled to be our Opening Day starter this year. It's good. He's put in a lot of hard work."
It will be another day of pomp and circumstance at Great American Ball Park on Sunday as the Reds continue the festivities honoring Pete Rose and the 1976 World Series championship club.
Prior to Sunday's game, the Reds plan to retire Pete Rose's No. 14. He is being inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in a gala Sunday night. Twenty members of the Reds Hall of Fame are participating in the weekend's festivities.
Rose is not eligible for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., because of his lifetime banishment for gambling on baseball.
