Padres Look to Build Upon Last Night’s Outburst

May 23, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley (7) watches a two-RBI double during the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres’ offense came out swinging, scoring 7 runs in the first two innings of last night’s game; this marked only the second time in Petco Park’s history that the Friars scored three-or-more runs in each of the first two innings of a game (August 17, 2004 vs. Atlanta). The Padres will look to build upon last night’s success as they face the Cubs tonight for game three of their current four-game series.

Billy Buckner (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his season debut for the Padres this season. Buckner was called up earlier today from Triple-A El Paso (3-0, 2.89 ERA). Tonight will be Buckner’s first major league start since last season on June 26^th when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Buckner will be facing a Cubs team with only three players having previously faced Buckner. Chris Coghlan (0-for-3) is the only Cubs player who has faced Buckner more than once.

Chicago will be sending Travis Wood (4-4, 4.61) to the mound trying to subdue the Padres’ recent offensive outburst. This will be a tall task for Wood; he has not pitched well on the road this season. In 21 1/3 innings, Wood has allowed 19 runs for an 8.02 ERA on the season. The Padres will look to build on last night’s success to help them inch towards the .500 line.

Friar Facts:

– Tonight is a Padres’ Brownout, players will wear brown jersey tops in honor of the 30-year anniversary of the 1984 season, which the Padres made it to the franchise’s first World Series.

– The Padre pitching staff currently owns the third best team ERA of 3.11 only behind Atlanta (2.84) and Oakland (2.88).

– Seth Smith has been on fire since the first of May. He owns a .415/.596/.815 line with 15 extra-base hits. Only Tony Gwynn (.447) has had a better average in the month of May.