Game time: 9:10PM ET
Probable starters:
PIT: Jeff Locke (3-2, 4.70 ERA)
SD: Odrisamer Despaigne (2-3, 5.23 ERA)
The Padres and Pirates close their four-game series at Petco Park on Sunday night, concluding Pittsburgh's only trip to San Diego of the season.
The Pirates will send out left-hander Jeff Locke (3-2, 4.70 ERA) against right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne (2-3, 5.23 ERA), who has never faced the Bucs.
It has been a topsy-turvy month for Despaigne, who has been good at times (he's allowed two runs in his last two starts) and bad (before that he allowed 15 earned runs in two starts). Despaigne continues to fill-in for an injured Brandon Morrow, who is on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. Morrow is currently on the rehab trail and could reclaim his place in the rotation next weekend.
It will be Locke's second career start against the Padres and first in nearly two seasons. He lost a 5-2 decision to them in Pittsburgh on Sept. 13, 2013. This will be his 10th start of the season. On Tuesday night he defeated the Marlins at PNC Park.
Things to know about this game:
• Morrow, on the disabled list since May 3, threw a bullpen session before Saturday's game. He'll head to Double-A San Antonio on Tuesday for a start. Morrow cleared a hurdle Thursday when he threw a three-inning simulated game at Petco Park.
• Pedro Alvarez continued to struggle for the Pirates in his transition to first base. His throwing error on an attempted force of Derek Norris at second base with one out in the fourth inning on Saturday night hit the runner and allowed Matt Kemp to score from second. It was his sixth error.
• The walk-off grand slam by Norris on Friday night was the 96th walk-off victory by the Padres at Petco Park since the team's downtown ballpark opened in 2004. That's the third-most in the big leagues during the span, trailing the A's at the Coliseum (98) and the Reds at Great American Ball Park (97).
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/201505301 ... _pk=414406
BEAT 'EM BUCS!!!
