Padres Look To Rebound After Losing First Game Of Series

Following the trade of third baseman Chase Headley to the New York Yankees, the Padres were shutout by the Chicago Cubs 6-0 last night. The Padres’ look to rebound tonight in when they square off against the Cubs in the second game of three game series tonight.

The Padres will send Ian Kennedy (7-9, 3.62 ERA) to the mound to lead them to victory. Kennedy is trying to bounce back after his shortest start in nearly a month. In his last start, Kennedy lasted only 5 innings allowing 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out 4.

If Kennedy wants to earn his eighth victory of the season he will need to keep Anthony Rizzo in the ballpark. Rizzo, who is having a breakout season, went 2-for-4 with 2 home runs in the first game of the series. However, the odds are in Kennedy’s favor. He has held Rizzo to 2-for-13 (13 AB) with 3 strike outs for a triple slash line of .154/.267/.231.

The Cubs counter with Tsuyoshi Wada (0-0, 0.00) who is making his second start of his career. In his first career start Wada pitched 5 innings allowing 1 unearned run on 5 hits and 1 walk with 3 strikeouts. I hope that the Padre batters have been watching film from Wada’s first start as they have been preparing for tonight’s game.

With 8 days left before the trade deadline, many Padres’ players are making their final auditions. Chris Denorfia, Joaquin Benoit, and Kennedy have been at the forefront of trade rumors going around the league.

First Pitch is at 8:05 pm ET.