The Padres got back in the win column last night with a 6-5 win in the first game of a three-game series in Arizona. They'll go for the series win tonight with their All-Star on the mound. The Diamondbacks will counter with rookie Chase Anderson.
Ross took the loss his last time out, September 7 at Colorado, to even his record at 13-13. It was the first start of his last 15 in which he failed to both last six innings and surrender three or less runs. He got the runs part down, allowing precisely three, but fell one out short on the innings front. Thus ended his franchise record streak of 14 consecutive Quality Starts. The three earned runs raised Ross's ERA ever so slightly, up to 2.66, which is still good for fifth in the league. His seven strikeouts gave him a total of 191, which also ranks fifth in the NL.
In his previous start, Ross faced these very same Diamondbacks. He lasted six innings, allowing one run on six scattered hits and two walks while sending eight Arizona batters back to the dugout with a scarlet K on their chest. His teammates had his back; the bats got him three runs, and the 'pen shut 'em down the rest of the way. I would be perfectly content watching a Groundhog Day rendition of that game tonight.
Diamondbacks rookie Chase Anderson comes into this game with an 8-6 record an 3.71 ERA in 19 games, all starts. He received no decision in his last start, when he threw 75 pitches over six innings against the Dodgers, allowing two earned runs on four hits, including a homer. It was his third consecutive game allowing a home run; the first game of that mini-streak was on August 24 against San Diego, and Yasmani Grandal was the culprit. The Padres won that game, chasing Chase after five innings. Altogether, they got him for five runs -- four earnies -- on six hits. I would be perfectly content watching a Groundhog Day rendition of that game tonight.
The Padres win this one on paper and pixels, but they play the actual games on grass and dirt, so we'll have to tune in to Fox Sports 1 at 5:10pm. Yes, I said Fox Sports 1, not Fox Sports San Diego. Remember that before you start freaking out on Twitter (I say this only because I did the same thing once when a Padres vs. Reds game wasn't on Fox Sports Ohio even though the guide said it would be).