08/07 Padres Preview: Game 114 vs. Baltimore

The Padres offense layed stagnant last night, scoring only one run of support on seven hits and stranding seven men on base and going 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. They'll need a better showing today in order to salvage a series split against the Orioles behind Eric Stults.

Stults has dropped to 8-10 on the season after losing each of his last three starts, allowing 29 hits during that stretch. In his latest outing he gave up four runs (though only one was earned) on 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings, marking his first defeat in eight home starts. In those eight starts, he is 5-1 overall with a 1.35 ERA and has allowed multiple earned runs just once. The southpaw will be facing the Orioles for the first time in his career today and hopes to take advantage of their lineup's struggles against left-handed pitchers.

The O's are hitting just .245 against lefties this year (as opposed to .274 against right-handers). They'll look to Adam Jones to continue his success after his 4-for-4 night last night, which included a solo homer, two runs scored, and his fifth RBI in as many games. His four hits tied a career-high and his home run was his second in four games at Petco Park. He'll try to help his team provide more run support for their starter today, Miguel Gonzalez.

Gonzalez will also be facing his opponent for the first time in his career today. But he's coming off a couple of rough starts. Last Wednesday against the Astros he surrendered a career-worst nine runs (four earned) on nine hits and was pulled in the fourth inning, unable to record the final out. One outing prior to that, he gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Royals. Before those two losses, Gonzalez had gone 6-1 with a 2.35 ERA over a stretch of eight starts, so he'll be looking to get back to form against a Padres team who has now lost three of its last five games.

Game time is set for 12:40pm today.