Preview: Padres Look For Three Straight Against Royals

May 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher

(13) scores a run in the 12th inning as the ball gets away from San Diego Padres catcher

(8) at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Following a second consecutive walk-off, come from behind win last night against the Kansas City Royals, the San Diego Padres are looking to make it three straight when they face the Royals in the second game of the three-game interleague match up at 7:10 pm PDT.

The Padres’ offense finally awoke last night hammering two home runs in the 6-5 win. However, there was none bigger than Jedd Gyorko‘s game tying shot off Royals’ closer Greg Holland to send the game into extra innings. Since returning from paternity leave last week, Gyorko is riding a five-game hitting streak with two homers and three RBI.

The struggling Will Venable continued his walk-off heroics knocking a 2-run single to end the game in the 12th inning  and giving Venable his fifth walk-off hit of his career.

On a night when Padres’ starter Eric Stults struggled, the club fought their way back for their ninth comeback win this season. Tonight, the Padres are hoping left-hander Robbie Erlin (1-4, 5.83) can bounce back from two shaky starts. In his last start against the San Francisco Giants, Erlin struggled early, but finished off the game strong.

The Royals send out veteran Jeremy Guthrie (2-2, 4.50) to stop the club’s five-game losing streak. Last night, the Royals pounded out 16 hits for only five runs. The Royals were led by first baseman Eric Hosmer who went 3-for-6 with a homer and three RBI.

Both clubs sit in fourth place in their divisions with records under .500. But with the Padres’ Chase Headley and Carlos Quentin possibly making their return to the lineup on this homestand, a win tonight gives the club momentum and a chance to return to .500.

• With the win last night, the Padres recorded their 1800th home victory in franchise history, joining the National League in 1969.
• When scoring four or more runs, the Padres (10-1) have the third-best winning percentage behind the Brewers and the Nationals.
• Seth Smith owns the third-best career batting average at Petco Park (min. 120 at-bats) with a .325 mark.
• Third baseman Chase Headley made his rehab debut for Lake Elsinore, going 1-for-3 with a double, two RBI, and a walk.