Padres-Reds game postponed because of rain

CINCINNATI (AP) The Padres got another day to let their recovered players rest and enjoy their best stretch of the season. With outfielder Carlos Quentin and third baseman Chase Headley back, they're thinking it could keep going.

Just not on Wednesday.

Their game against the Cincinnati Reds was postponed because of rain and rescheduled as part of a doubleheader on Thursday. They will play a regularly scheduled game at 12:35 p.m. EDT followed by a makeup game at 6:10 p.m.

Ian Kennedy (2-4) will face Johnny Cueto (3-2) in the first game. Tyson Ross (4-3) will start the second game for San Diego. The Reds hadn't decided on their starter.

It was the ninth postponement in Great American Ball Park's history since 2003 and the second this season. The Reds have had eight rain delays, two postponements and one suspended game this season in Cincinnati.

The Padres are enjoying the best stretch of the season. They have won a season-high four straight and have scored 26 runs in the four games.

Quentin wasn't going to be in the Padres' lineup on Wednesday as manager Bud Black eases him back in. Quentin was activated before the series opener on Tuesday after missing the first 39 games with a bruised left knee, injured while diving for a ball during spring training.

Quentin went 3 for 18 during a minor league rehab stint and was 0 for 3 with a walk in his return. Black planned to play him in one of the games on Thursday.

''We're going to build him up, but we like when he's in the lineup,'' Black said. ''He's got to get into baseball shape.''

Injuries limited Quentin to 82 games last season, when he batted .275 with 13 homers and 44 RBIs. He was an All-Star with the White Sox in 2008 and 2011.

''Arguably when he's healthy and playing his game, you can make a case that he's our best offensive player,'' Black said. ''He's a guy that has a proven record of offensive performance. So when he's in there, we score more runs.''

The Padres think he will make a difference in a struggling offense.

''He's a huge piece for us,'' Headley said. ''If we can get him in there and keep him healthy, it makes everybody's job easier. It's great to have him back.''

San Diego's offense ranked last in the league with a .222 average and 118 runs. The Padres are hopeful that with Quentin back and Headley finally healthy, their offense can pick up. Headley returned from the disabled list last Saturday after recovering from a strained right calf and has homered twice.

Headley's solo shot in the ninth inning off a 99 mph fastball from Aroldis Chapman gave the Padres a 2-1 win in the series opener.

Reliever Dale Thayer rejoined the Padres on Wednesday after missing one game on paternity leave. Thayer is 2-1 with a 1.45 ERA in 20 games.

The Padres optioned right-hander Kevin Quackenbush back to Triple-A El Paso to create a spot for Thayer. Quackenbush was called up for one game to fill in while Thayer was gone. Quackenbush didn't pitch in a 2-1 win over the Reds on Tuesday night, leaving him 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in three stints with San Diego this season.

NOTES: The Padres haven't won a series on the road this season. ... Major League Baseball has made a scoring change from San Diego's 4-0 loss to Washington on April 26, taking a hit away from Jayson Werth and giving Jedd Gyorko an error. That takes two earned runs away from Padres starter Andrew Cashner, lowering his ERA to 2.35. ... Manager Bryan Price said C Devin Mesoraco, on a rehab assignment recovering from a strained hamstring, will play a couple more games before the Reds will consider activating him. He began the assignment Tuesday night with Triple-A Louisville.