The Arizona Diamondbacks wrap up the home portion of their
2009 schedule this afternoon in the conclusion of a three-game series with the
San Diego Padres at Chase Field.
The clubs have split the first two games of this set, with Arizona claiming an
8-5 victory on Saturday thanks to Chad Tracy's seventh-inning grand slam off
Luke Gregerson.
"To go out with a curtain call on the last series you play here as a player,"
Tracy said. "I'm not saying that it is, but it means a lot and I appreciate
the fans."
Mark Reynolds also homered as part of a two-hit performance for Arizona, which
had dropped five of its last six. Reynolds is second in the majors with 44
homers.
Daniel Schlereth (1-4) took the win -- his first in the majors -- by tossing
a scoreless seventh.
Arizona is 10-7 this season against San Diego, which ended a five-game losing
streak in the series with a 6-5 win in 10 innings on September 16.
Adrian Gonzalez doubled, drove in a run and walked twice in the loss, the
Padres' second in eight games. They play their final road game of the season
today.
After serving as a reliever for most of the season, 25-year-old Edward Mujica
makes his fourth start in a row this afternoon for the Padres.
Mujica had allowed just two runs over 8 2/3 innings in his first two starts
before getting hammered for six runs (5 earned) on eight hits over just 2 2/3
innings versus the Rockies on Tuesday. He earned his third straight no-
decision as a starter, though, as the Padres went on to lose 11-10.
The right-hander holds a 5.56 earned run average as a starter and is 3-4 with
a pair of saves and 3.77 ERA overall this year. He gave up two runs over 4 2/3
innings versus Arizona on September 16, his only start against the club.
Billy Buckner goes for the Diamondbacks, and after losing five straight
outings he hasn't factored into the decision of any of his last three starts.
He gave up only one earned run in six innings versus the Padres on September
14, then yielded four runs (3 earned) on six hits over 4 1/3 frames of work on
Monday versus the Giants. The right-hander hasn't won since June 1 and is 2-6
with a 6.75 ERA this year.
Buckner, 26, will also be trying today for his first home win of 2009, as he
is 0-4 with a 10.47 ERA in nine outings, including six starts, at Chase Field.
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