NewsLeft-hander joins Padres' rotation
San Diego (29-36) vs. Oakland (28-36), 7:05 p.m. PT
By Amy Brittain / MLB.com
06/18/09 9:34 PM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Injuries have introduced some new faces to San Diego's pitching rotation, and the Padres are prepared to start their first left-handed pitcher of the season on Friday.
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With Jake Peavy on the 15-day disabled list, and Chris Young scheduled to join him there Friday, the Padres will recall Wade LeBlanc from Triple-A Portland to start against Oakland at PETCO Park.
The Padres finally ended their 13-game Interleague losing streak, which was the longest in Major League history, with a 4-3 win Thursday over the Mariners at PETCO Park. Before the win, they were swept by the Angels and lost the first two games against Seattle.
San Diego originally recalled LeBlanc from Portland on June 8, but he was optioned back four days later without having pitched. He started four games last September in his Major League debut with the Padres, finishing the 2008 season with a 1-2 record and an 8.02 ERA as a starter.
The Padres will also recall right-handed pitcher Walter Silva, the projected starter for Saturday, from Portland.
Now that San Diego is going with a lefty, St. Louis is the only Major League team to have not started one this season. The Padres, who hold a 12-13 record against left-handed pitchers this season, face three consecutive lefty Oakland starters this weekend: Josh Outman, Brett Anderson and Dallas Braden.
Padres manager Bud Black has been asked to explain San Diego's weak offensive performance against Interleague opponents this season. He said that the Padres have recently been outpitched and outhit, which only reinforces the need for strong pitching.
"To combat that, you have to pitch better," he said. "Whether it's Interleague or not, you have to pitch well."
Pitching matchupSD: LHP Wade LeBlanc (1-3, 8.02 ERA in 2008)
LeBlanc will be recalled from Triple-A Portland to make the start in place of Young, who will miss this start with an inflamed right shoulder, an injury he attempted to pitch his way through in his past four starts. OAK: LHP Josh Outman (4-1, 3.43 ERA)
Outman, a 24-year-old rookie, pitched far better his last time out than his line indicated. In six-plus innings against the host Giants, he gave up five hits without a walk while striking out four, but the bullpen allowed the two runners he left behind to score, so he was charged with earned four runs. That marked the end of Outman's streak of six consecutive quality starts. Tidbits
There's a good chance rookie shortstop Everth Cabrera will be activated from the 60-day disabled list on Friday and be in the starting lineup for the first game of a three-game series against the A's. ... Outfielder Scott Hairston (strained left biceps) will begin an injury rehab assignment with Class A Lake Elsinore on Friday. There is a chance he'll be activated before Tuesday's game in Seattle. ... Injured relief pitcher Luis Perdomo (strained left knee) is getting close to a Minor League rehab outing, according to Padres manager Bud Black. ... Veteran pitcher Brian Lawrence, signed Tuesday to a Minor League contract, made his debut with Portland on Wednesday, allowing one earned run in six innings. Tickets
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• Saturday: Padres (Walter Silva, 0-0, 6.52) vs. Athletics (Brett Anderson, 3-7, 5.77), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Sunday: Padres (Kevin Correia, 3-5, 4.52) vs. Athletics (Dallas Braden, 5-5, 3.31), 1:05 p.m. PT
• Monday: Off-day
Amy Brittain is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
