Game 52 Preview: 05/31 Padres vs. Pirates

The series against the Pirates concludes tonight and the Padres will give the ball to Odrisamer Despaigne to try to secure a series split. After putting up some incredible numbers to start his season, Despaigne's been riding  a roller coaster over the past month, going 0-3 with a 7.65 ERA in his first four May starts. His most recent start  was his best outing since mid-April. He threw six shutout innings, allowing only five hits, walking no one, and striking out five batters. This will be Despaigne's first career appearance against the Pirates.

Jeff Locke will take the hill for Pittsburgh and try to close out the series with a victory. The Pirates lefty is 3-2 on the season with a 4.70 ERA. He's coming off a start against the Marlins at PNC Park where he tossed 5 2/3 scoreless while striking out six. In his only prior appearance against the Padres, Locke went five innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. This will be his first experience pitching at Petco Park.

The late Sunday contest will start at 6:10 pm PT.