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After last night's loss, our Padres have themselves a rubber match against the Giants today and we will look to Clayton Richard to get us back on the winning track.
Richard has fared well at Petco Park this season, but hasn't yet found his stride on the road. He has allowed a combined 12 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings in two road starts, and his opponents have a combined OBP of .407. He hopes to end his road troubles and get us our first series win today in San Francisco after getting a tough-luck loss against the Nationals at home on Tuesday. Despite recording the L in that start, he pitched well, giving up two earned runs on four hits and five walks (two intentional) in 6 1/3 innings.
Pablo Sandoval's 20-game hitting streak ended last night, but Angel Pagan will be setting his sights on a 14-game hitting streak today against Richard. And on the hill for the Giants will be Madison Bumgarner. After a rough start to the season, Bumgarner has really picked it up. He has won his last three starts while giving up just four runs combined. He hopes to continue that success and keep our Padres from their first series win of the season today.
#Padres lineup vs. #SFGiants for Sunday. twitter.com/FollowThePadre…
— Follow The Padres (@FollowThePadres) April 29, 2012
Overall, April hasn't been kind to us, but that's not really new. On the upside, our boys have won four of their last seven games, and are looking better (at least in pitching and offense) than the team that began the season. Hopefully we have a good couple of games today and tomorrow and we can end April on a good note. Let us start by getting that elusive first series win today!
GO FRIARS!! KEEP THE FAITH!!