But this week at Chase Field, that may not matter, for these National League West foes appear to be heading in different directions -- and not the directions you might think.
San Diego committed four errors and was shut out by the Philles on Sunday to suffer its fourth consecutive loss. The Padres, with a five-game lead over the second-place Giants entering Monday's series opener in Arizona, had lost three straight this season but had yet to collect a quartet of losses in a row.
A lack of offensive production seems to be the key. The Padres have averaged two runs over their four-game skid.
The division's cellar-dwelling D-backs, meanwhile, nearly made it four straight wins when they climbed back but eventually lost to the Giants, 9-7, on Sunday afternoon at AT&T Park.
The D-backs will welcome a return trip south, too, for they are almost a .500 ballclub (30-36) in games played in Phoenix. In fact, the D-backs are 4-2 against the Padres there this season.
Only Wade LeBlanc could complicate what the D-backs would call a good little streak. LeBlanc beat them on Wednesday, allowing just three earned runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings.
D-backs: Saunders allowing more than run per inning lately
Opposing LeBlanc will be Joe Saunders. The veteran lefty has given up 23 runs (19 earned) in 21 innings, including six runs (five earned) over six frames against the Padres on Aug. 8. ... Rehabbing pitcher Brandon Webb, who is holding out hope of making at least a Major League relief appearance before the season ends, felt nothing but usual soreness on Sunday, one day after throwing a simulated game at AT&T Park.
Padres: Denorfia sits with sore back
Outfielder Chris Denorfia was scratched from Sunday's starting lineup with a sore back. He was available off of the bench but wasn't called upon. ... Rehabbing pitcher Chris Young, who hasn't pitched in a game since May 2, will make an appearance on Tuesday when Triple-A Portland faces Reno. Young has been on the 60-day disabled list since April with a strained right shoulder. ... Closer Heath Bell has converted his past 24 save opportunities.
Worth noting
The NL West foes are playing their final series of the season. The D-backs have lost 10 of the first 15 matchups. ... San Diego is 49-11 when it swipes at least one base in a game.
Mon, 8/30 9:40 PM ET
| HITTER | AVG | AB | HR | RBI |
|---|
| HITTER | AVG | AB | HR | RBI |
|---|
Reynolds blasts, Saunders stifles
Joe Saunders gave up two runs four pitches into the game, but kept the Padres' bats quiet over the rest of his eight-inning outing. Mark Reynolds picked up his starter with a pair of two-run blasts and five total RBIs.
D-backs Beat
Photos
| San Diego | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | LOB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eckstein, 2B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .277 |
| Tejada, M, SS | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .272 |
| Gonzalez, Ad, 1B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .299 |
| Ludwick, RF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .264 |
| Headley, 3B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .272 |
| Torrealba, C | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .287 |
| Denorfia, CF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .284 |
| Hairston, S, LF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .220 |
| LeBlanc, P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .295 |
| Stauffer, P | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .222 |
| a-Cunningham, PH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .308 |
| Mujica, P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Totals | 34 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 12 | .250 |
| Arizona | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | LOB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drew, S, SS | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .276 |
| Upton, J, RF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .275 |
| Church, LF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .186 |
| Johnson, K, 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .276 |
| Young, Ch, CF | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .268 |
| Montero, C | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .279 |
| Reynolds, Ma, 3B | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .215 |
| Ryal, 1B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .279 |
| Parra, G, LF-RF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .244 |
| Saunders, J, P | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .000 |
| Heilman, P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Totals | 33 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 12 | .252 |
2B: Hairston, S (10, Saunders, J).
3B: Headley (3, Saunders, J).
HR: Tejada, M (10, 1st inning off Saunders, J, 1 on, 0 out).
TB: Eckstein; Tejada, M 5; Gonzalez, Ad; Headley 3; Torrealba 2; Denorfia; Hairston, S 2; Stauffer.
RBI: Tejada, M 2 (53).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Torrealba; Tejada, M; Cunningham; Ludwick.
GIDP: Ludwick; Denorfia.
Team RISP: 0-for-5.
Team LOB: 5.
BASERUNNING
CS: Denorfia (4, 2nd base by Saunders, J/Montero).
PO: Denorfia (1st base by Saunders, J).
FIELDING
DP: 2 (Tejada, M-Eckstein-Gonzalez, Ad, Eckstein-Tejada, M-Gonzalez, Ad).
2B: Montero (15, LeBlanc), Drew, S (28, LeBlanc), Ryal (6, Stauffer).
HR: Reynolds, Ma 2 (31, 1st inning off LeBlanc, 1 on, 2 out; 3rd inning off LeBlanc, 1 on, 2 out).
TB: Drew, S 3; Upton, J; Young, Ch 2; Montero 3; Reynolds, Ma 9; Ryal 2.
RBI: Montero 2 (36), Reynolds, Ma 5 (81).
2-out RBI: Montero 2; Reynolds, Ma 4.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Upton, J; Saunders, J; Parra, G.
GIDP: Johnson, K; Ryal.
Team RISP: 3-for-9.
Team LOB: 4.
FIELDING
E: Ryal (7, throw).
DP: 2 (Drew, S-Johnson, K-Ryal, Reynolds, Ma-Johnson, K-Ryal).
Pickoffs: Saunders, J (Denorfia at 1st base).
| San Diego | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeBlanc(L, 8-12) | 3.0 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4.15 |
| Stauffer | 3.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1.31 |
| Mujica | 2.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3.26 |
| Totals | 8.0 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 3.31 |
| Arizona | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saunders, J(W, 8-14) | 8.0 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4.64 |
| Heilman | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3.73 |
| Totals | 9.0 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5.01 |
IBB: Parra, G (by Stauffer).
Pitches-strikes: LeBlanc 72-44, Stauffer 33-21, Mujica 28-19, Saunders, J 101-63, Heilman 13-8.
Groundouts-flyouts: LeBlanc 3-1, Stauffer 4-1, Mujica 1-1, Saunders, J 10-2, Heilman 2-0.
Batters faced: LeBlanc 16, Stauffer 11, Mujica 8, Saunders, J 31, Heilman 3.
Umpires: HP: Mike Muchlinski. 1B: Tim McClelland. 2B: Mike Everitt. 3B: Adrian Johnson.
Weather: 77 degrees, roof closed.
Wind: 0 mph, None.
T: 2:22.
Att: 17,810.
Compiled by MLB Advanced Media
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