Red Hot Robbie Ray and Dbacks Set to Take on Padres

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The Dbacks will have another opportunity to achieve that ever-so elusive .500 record when they take on the San Diego Padres in Phoenix on Saturday night. After taking the first game of the series on Friday night, Arizona will look to clinch the series with a victory. The Dbacks will be led into battle by Robbie Ray, one of the most pleasant stories of 2015.

Last night, the Dbacks took the opener 4-2. Rubby De La Rosa showed his more attractive side and hurled a beauty (7 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 6 K). A.J. Pollock went 2-for-3 with a run and a double. Nick Ahmed added with a 2-for-4 performance. Brad Ziegler lowered his season ERA to 1.50 on his way to his 10th save of 2015. Arizona (33-34) is currently 4.5 games out of 1st place in the National League West.

Starting Pitchers

Tyson Ross (3-7, 3.90 ERA, 89 K) vs Robbie Ray (2-1, 1.09 ERA, 16 K)

Ross was the lone All Star last season for the San Diego Padres. He finished 2014 with a 13-14 record, 2.81 ERA, and 195 strikeouts in 195.1 innings. Ross is coming off a loss to Oakland in which he lasted 5 innings and surrendered 4 runs and 7 hits. Ross also walked 5 hitters. Ross has taken the loss in 3 of his last 4 games. On May 9th, Ross started against Arizona and went 6 innings while giving up 2 runs in a no decision.

Ray has taken full advantage of his time in the majors. Ray is coming off his finest performance of 2015. In a victorious effort against the Los Angeles Angels, Ray pitched 7 scoreless innings in which he only allowed a couple of hits. Of his 4 starts with Arizona, 3 of them have been quality starts. Robbie Ray has never pitched against San Diego and no current Padre has ever faced off against him.

Starting Lineups

After having consecutive two-hit games, Ahmed will take a seat in favor of Cliff Pennington. Yasmany Tomas will sit, but be available to pinch hit, after suffering a contusion from a pitch that hit him in the elbow. Danny Dorn will take his place in the lineup. Welington Castillo will start a consecutive game at backstop while Jake Lamb will continue to hit second.

First pitch is at 7:10 MST in Phoenix.

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