Padres eager to regain form in opener of series vs. Reds

The San Diego Padres will attempt to continue their run to a potential playoff spot as they close August with the opener of a three-game series against the host Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.

After being swept in a three-game road series vs. Tampa Bay, the Padres have lost their grip on the third and final wild-card spot in the National League, trailing Arizona by a half-game. The Reds played late into Sunday night in Chicago, hitting four home runs in a 7-5 victory over the Cubs.

The Padres, who have lost five of their past six games, will send right-hander Michael King (8-9, 3.23 ERA) to the mound on Monday.

In his last start on Tuesday, he engaged in a pitching duel with Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes. King escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning and allowed five hits and struck out seven over seven scoreless innings.

"Right from the jump, I had it," King said of his start against Pittsburgh. "They're a very aggressive team. But I definitely was in the lanes that I wanted to get to, and that was the scouting report going into it. I felt like I was still able to get to the outer or inner thirds early, but I executed some pitches off the plate, and that kind of fed into their aggressiveness."

The Padres lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to the Pirates, spoiling King's effort.

"He was throwing strikes with all his pitches, and he was getting ahead of hitters," San Diego manager Craig Stammen said. "When you do that, you're going to be successful. He gave us exactly what we needed."

King historically has matched up well against Cincinnati, pitching to a lifetime 2-0 record and a 3.22 ERA over six career appearances (three starts).

The Reds will counter with right-hander Brady Singer (5-12, 4.72 ERA), who will make his 27th start of the season.

Since the Aug. 3 trade deadline, when the Reds decided to hold on to the veteran starter, Singer has served as a resilient anchor for an overworked pitching staff. He has taken the ball five times in August, tossing 29 2/3 innings and posting an 0-2 record with a 4.85 ERA.

While the statistical results have been a roller coaster, his trademark durability has drawn praise from manager Terry Francona.

"He takes so much pride in posting (innings) that there was never an issue," Francona said.

"... You look up in the sixth, seventh inning and you've got a chance to win. That's what he does."

Singer's mental and physical toughness were on full display during his last outing last Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants. After sliding for an infield grounder in the sixth inning, he jammed his ribs. Singer downplayed any long-term injury concern.

"No, no, no. Totally fine. Just be ready in six days," said Singer, who took the loss despite allowing just three runs in 5 2/3 innings in a 3-1 loss to the Giants.

Singer is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two career appearances (both starts) vs. the Padres.

--Field Level Media