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The Padres will try to rebound tonight after dropping the first game of the series against the Pirates. And with Tyson Ross on the mound, they'll have a good chance of doing so. Ross has been phenomenal since his return to the rotation last month. He is 3-1 with a 1.32 ERA in five starts, striking out a combined 36 batters in 34 total innings. He went seven innings, allowing one run on five hits, against the Mets last week, though the Padres went on to lose the game 4-1. Tonight will be his first career start against Pittsburgh.
Ross will be pitching opposite A.J. Burnett. The right-hander is coming off a couple of rough outings in a row. On August 10th he gave up five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 frames. His last time out, he allowed the same number of runs and hits, but only lasted 4 1/3 innings. And despite the Padres' recent offensive struggles, Burnett's history against them wouldn't indicate he'll do any better in his start tonight. In two starts over the San Diego club last season, he gave up a combined eight runs, allowing 29 baserunners in 12 total innings of work.
Watch these two face off tonight at 7:10.