Stults and Padres Hope to Get on Track in Arizona

April 29, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher

(53) reacts as he is removed from the game in a pitching change against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres will look to put the tough walk off loss from last night behind them tonight when they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second game of the three-game series. Hopefully the offense comes out in full force like last night while the pitching can get back on track.

Eric Stults (2-5, 4.97 ERA) will face Arizona for the first time this season. The Padres are hoping that he’ll be able to put his last start in the past when he gave up 5 runs on 6 hits in just 4 2/3 innings.

Only two Diamondbacks have a batting average above .250 (minimum 3 PA).  Cliff Pennington (.625) and Martin Prado (.381) have hit Stults well while Arizona’s hottest hitter, Paul Goldschmidt, has only hit for.222 average.

The Padres hitters will face Wade Miley (3-5, 4.84 ERA) tonight. Three of the Padres’ hitters own an average of .333 (minimum 3 PA) off of Miley. Alexi Amarista (.600), Evereth Cabrera (.471), and Cameron Maybin (.333) will be in the line-up tonight.

Miley will need to battle with their success as he tries to improve his performance at home where he has struggled going 1-4, 7.17 ERA. One strategy that could be implemented by the Padres’ hitters is patience. Miley can be wild from time to time as he has walked 3 or more in 5 of his starts.

Tommy Medica will get his first shot in the starting lineup tonight. He’ll give Yonder Alonso a rare, but much needed, off day. Carlos Quentin will also be in the lineup, so one can assume there was no ill effects from yesterday’s game.

First pitch is at 6:40 PDT.