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The
San Diego Padres
did not start their 10-game homestand they way they wanted to. They return to Petco Park on Tuesday seeking a better result
as they continue their set with the
San Francisco Giants
.
Home field has been troublesome for the Padres (60-58), who are a division-worst 28-32 there. San Diego is seeking a second
consecutive NL West title, but Monday's 1-0 loss pushed the Padres 2 1/2 games behind the
Los Angeles Dodgers
for the division lead and one game back of the
Cincinnati Reds
for the wild card.
San Diego had several chances to score, but went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position, matching their worst effort of
the season in RBI situations.
''We had our chances there with runners on,'' Padres manager
Bruce Bochy
said. ''We created those opportunities and you have to cash them in.''
The Padres, who have the NL's fourth-fewest errors this year with 65, allowed three for the third time. The recently acquired
Todd Walker
committed two at third base for the second time since his Aug. 2 debut.
Walker, who had not played third base in nine years before the trade, made only seven errors in 86 games while splitting time
between first and second base with the
Chicago Cubs
this season.
''I said from the beginning that I'm not going to be perfect,'' Walker said.
The Padres have lost five of their last seven games, but look to recover with
Chris Young
on the mound.
Young (9-5, 3.84 ERA) has not won in his last two starts. The right-hander allowed three runs in five innings while walking
a season-high six last Thursday against the
New York Mets
, but did not factor in the decision in the 7-3 defeat.
He lost to the Giants on July 2 in his only career appearance against them, going 6 2-3 innings and allowing four runs while
striking out seven.
Young has struggled along with his team at home this season, going 4-5 with a 5.10 ERA at Petco Park. He is 5-0 with a 2.63
ERA on the road.
Hillenbrand, who is 3-for-4 in his career against Young, scored the first Giants run in the last 16 innings on Monday to end
San Francisco's five-game losing streak. The club had also dropped four consecutive one-run games.
''It's good for us to be on the winning end of a one-run game,'' said Giants starter and winner
Brad Hennessey
.
San Francisco (55-63) looks to follow Hennessey's performance with a quality start from
Matt Morris
(8-10, 4.75), who is 0-3 with a 7.18 ERA in his last five starts.
The right-hander took the 5-3 loss on Wednesday to the
Arizona Diamondbacks
after allowing three runs in five innings.
Morris has had success against the Padres this season, going is 2-1 with a 3.05 ERA in three starts against them. In his July
2 appearance, he recorded the win after pitching 7 1-3 innings of two-run ball, striking out six.
He is 6-2 with a 2.69 ERA in 15 career games - 13 starts - against the Padres, including a 2-0 mark and a 1.98 ERA in two
starts at Petco Park.
Morris has had trouble against Walker, who is a .395 lifetime hitter (15-for-38) against him.
San Diego may be without catcher
Mike Piazza
, who left Monday's game in the fifth inning after being hit by a pitch in the right forearm. He is listed as day-to-day.
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