Padres hope for good health in series opener vs. Brewers

The San Diego Padres could be without two key starters when they begin a three-game series against the host Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.

Padres manager Mike Shildt is monitoring the status of first baseman Luis Arraez and shortstop Xander Bogaerts.

Arraez exited San Diego's 3-2 road loss against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday due to posterior soreness in his right knee.

Bogaerts left the team's Wednesday game because of left shoulder soreness and sat out on Thursday.

San Diego split the four-game series in San Francisco after opening the set with consecutive one-run, 10-inning wins. The Padres lost 6-5 on Wednesday before falling 3-2 in the series finale on Thursday.

"The whole series we were hitting the ball really hard, just right at guys," Padres third baseman Manny Machado said. "We've been unlucky for a little bit, so hopefully it turns around when we need it the most.

"But the most important thing is we're grinding, man. We're having some really good at-bats, and we had a good series offensively. So keep leaning, build on that, and go to Milwaukee and try to do the same thing."

Machado, 32, hit the 350th home run of his career on Thursday, becoming the 102nd player to reach that milestone. Just 33 players have done so at his age or younger.

Milwaukee has won nine of its past 10 games while receiving contributions throughout the roster. Reserve outfielder Daz Cameron hit a two-run homer and singled as the Brewers beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-1 on Wednesday in the decisive contest of a three-game series.

Cameron was making just his sixth start of the season.

"Been sticking with the same approach," he said. "Coming to the ballpark every day, ready to attack the pitcher that's on the mound for the day. The coaches do a great job with preparing us in the cages, and I'm just glad I was able to show it."

The Brewers are heading into a 10-game homestand on a high note after winning their past three series.

"I think during this run we've played more like the Milwaukee Brewers are expected to play, right?" Brewers assistant general manager Matt Kleine said. "This is what we've seen over the last several years, especially last year. Comebacks, being active on the bases, popping some homers."

The Friday series opener will feature a pair of 26-year-old right-handers as the Padres' Randy Vasquez (3-4, 3.99 ERA) faces the Brewers' Chad Patrick (3-4, 2.97).

Vasquez is winless in his past three starts after giving up four runs over 3 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

Vasquez has been especially prone to the home run ball in his past five starts, serving up a total of seven long balls over that stretch.

Brice Turang is 2-for-2 with a walk against Vasquez, who is making his second career start versus Milwaukee. He tossed five scoreless innings in a 6-4 win over the Brewers on June 22, 2024.

Patrick is looking to build on a solid outing on Saturday, when he allowed two runs over six innings in a 17-7 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The rookie owns a 57-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 13 games (12 starts) across 63 2/3 innings this season. He will be making his first career appearance against San Diego.

--Field Level Media