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After last night's blowout loss to the Cardinals, the Padres' current three-game home series is now tied at a game apiece. Rookie right-hander Colin Rea is tasked with starting against Mike Matheny's Sunday Squad, while Mike Leake will be the first on the hill for the Cardinals.
Rea has faced the Redbirds just once before, last August. After winning his first two major league starts he allowed a season-high four earned runs in just four innings, and took his first loss. This will be his fifth appearance and fourth start of this nascent season; he has a 1-1 record and 5.51 ERA, but has pitched well in his last two starts after getting knocked all over Coors Field in his first start, a no-decision in which he allowed five earnies in just 3.1 innings. Since then he's allowed four earned runs in 12 innings, striking out 11 batters and walking three others to go with a dozen hits in that span.
Mike Leake has made six appearances - all starts - against his hometown team, most of which came during his time with the Reds. He's 1-2 with a 3.31 ERA, 21 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 35.1 innings. This year he's 0-2 overall with a no-decision; like Rea, he has improved with each start.
The series is up for grabs & @colinrea29 looks to lead the way!First pitch vs. STL at 1:40. Here's the full lineup: pic.twitter.com/jxdKVmWXEG
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 24, 2016
Derek Norris gets the day, or at least the first part of it off, while Brett Wallace gets the start at third base over Adam Rosales by virtue of being a left-handed hitter.