Padres continue their road trip in Seattle.
An entire fanbase is mourning today, but baseball still goes on. Our Padres begin a two-game set in Seattle tonight and hope to bring the Friar Faithful a win to help ease our pain even a tiny bit.
Over their last 13 games, San Diego is 3-10 while averaging less than two runs per game in that stretch. They're coming off a series loss to the Mets in New York, the finale of which saw them drum up only four hits while collecting their Major-League-worst 21st game with less than two runs scored.
Tyson Ross, however, is coming off one of his best outings of the season. Last Wednesday he pitched seven frames against the Phillies, giving up only four hits and no walks in his effort. Unfortunately, Philadelphia's pitching staff also held the Padres scoreless and Ross ended up with a no-decision thanks to the offensive ineptitude and a walkoff three-run homer for the Phillies. But Ross is still undefeated (2-0) in his last four games on the road, a trend he hopes to continue in tonight's series opener at Safeco Field. He has just one career start against the Mariners under his belt. As an Oakland A's pitcher in 2011, Ross gave up three runs in 4 1/3 innings for a loss. He's split four interleague matchups this season (2-2 record), but has posted a 1.78 ERA in those games.
Opposing Ross will be someone Padres fans should find familiar. Former Friar Chris Young will take the mound for the hated Mariners. Young has spent most of his career in a Padres uniform but tonight he'll be sporting the blue, green, and silver as he faces them for the very first time. But his recent stretch of starts is nothing to dwell on and could be something the Friars can take advantage of. The right-hander comes into tonight's contest having lost four of his last six appearances while posting a 4.79 ERA. He's also failed to make it past five innings in each of his last two. This will be Young's second time in interleague play this season, having struggled in his prior NL matchup this season. He lasted only three innings while giving up four runs against the Marlins back in April.
First pitch in Seattle is scheduled for 7:10 PDT, and the Mariners will hold a moment of silence for our beloved Tony Gwynn 15 minutes prior.