Padres Look To Salvage A Win Against The Phillies

Jun 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder

(18) slides safely into second base ahead of tag by Philadelphia Phillies second baseman

(26) in the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. Phillies defeated the Padres, 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

It is getting a little redundant, but the Padres are hoping the bats come alive during the final game of three game series with the Philadelphia Phillies in Thursday afternoon’s match up. Last night, the Padres’ squandered another great pitching performance by Tyson Ross to lose 3-0 on a walk-off three-run home run by Reid Brignac.

Today, the Padres’ Eric Stults (2-7, 5.68 ERA) looks to rebound from a poor outing against the Washington Nationals last Sunday when he lasted only 2.1 innings giving up six earned run and eight hits. Manager Bud Black stated about his last start, “His pitches are up in the zone; he’s not locating his fastball. A pitcher like Stultsy has to hit his spots, and they took advantage of it.

Stults is still looking for his first win since early May and has lost his last four consecutive starts.  Over his career against the Phillies, he holds a 4.50 ERA but a 2.77 ERA as a starter. The last time Stults faced the Phillies last year at Citizens Bank, he pitched six solid innings allowing 2 runs and striking out five.

The Padres’ offense will have a chance this afternoon when they face Phillies Kyle Kendrick (1-6, 4.30 ERA). In his last six starts, the right-hander is 1-3 with a 5.02 ERA and has struggled this season in the first inning of games.  Of the 36 earned runs allowed this season, Kendrick has given up 12 in the first inning.

Padres’ will need to capitalize on their opportunities. They had their chances against Cole Hamels, but Cameron Maybin‘s strikeout with the baseloaded in the fourth inning ended their biggest threat.

Last night’s loss marked the eleventh time the Padres’ were shutout this season. They are hoping league’s worst offense can get a spark going today to end their three game losing streak. First pitch is 10:05 am PDT.