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Another loss to the Dodgers at home takes us to today’s contest featuring dueling lefties on the mound in game 2 of the 4 game set against Los Angeles.
Eric Lauer (4-5, 4.84 ERA) has been markedly improving over his last few starts: since the beginning of June the rookie has a 2.76 ERA in 7 starts with a 3-2 record. An uptick in fastball velocity from high-80s to mid-90s and more exposure to big league hitters has Eric shaping up to be a very useful player in the Padres future. Lauer has allowed 3 earned runs or less in those last 7 starts and did the job in his last outing against Arizona, throwing 5 innings of 1 run ball in an eventual 6-3 Padres win. Lauer actually had one of his best games against these Dodgers in Monterrey, shutting out LA over 6 innings and allowing 7 hits and a free pass. He’ll get another opportunity to BEAT LA tonight facing off against a pitcher 15 years his senior.
Fellow lefty Rich Hill (2-3, 4.56 ERA) will face off against the rookie and against the Padres for the first time this season. The 38-year-old veteran has had a mixed 2018 so far, punctuated with both good and bad outings interrupted by injuries. In his last game action Hill threw 5 innings and allowed only 2 runs in an eventual 6-4 win against Pittsburgh. While Rich sports a 4.20 ERA on the road he’s historically been pretty good against San Diego. You might remember his last appearance against the Padres last year (Sept. 27th) where he twirled 7 innings of scoreless ball with 10 punchouts. In 8 starts against the Friars the lefty sports a 4-3 record with a 3.18 ERA.
In Padres roster news of some concern and confusion Franmil Reyes has returned to the big league club and Walker Lockett will go back to El Paso. Given the glut of outfielders many were scratching their heads at the call-up. No injury or trade has been announced as of yet.
Tonight’s contest starts up at 7:10 PM.
Game Time: 7:10 PM PST
TV: FSSD (Keep Mud and Don fun), Fox Sports Deportes (Spanish)
Radio: 97.3, XEMO 860 (Español)