News
Blanco set to come off DL to face Reds
San Diego (38-62) at Cincinnati (45-53), 4:10 p.m. PT
By Steve Gartner / MLB.com
07/27/09 11:42 PM ET
CINCINNATI -- Padres catcher Henry Blanco was activated from the 15-day disabled list after Monday's 6-4 loss to the Reds, and second baseman David Eckstein isn't far behind. Blanco hurt his hamstring in the Dodgers series on July 4 when he felt a pop running to first base. "Henry will be activated tomorrow and more than likely start the game," Black said. Black said catcher Jose Lobaton would be sent down to Triple-A to make room for Blanco. To prepare for his activation, Blanco caught six innings of a simulated game on Sunday to test his hamstring. He experienced no pain and was able to squat without pain. This season, Blanco has hit .218 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 38 games. He ran with David Eckstein on the field before Monday's game as a final test. Eckstein, who also has been out with a hamstring injury, could be activated tomorrow as well. "We're going to sit overnight on Eckstein," Black said. "He had a good workout today, we want to make sure with Eck he feels good tomorrow." Eckstein has been out since July 6 with a right hamstring injury which he incurred July 5 against the Dodgers. He suffered the injury in the 12th inning of a 4-3 loss to the Dodgers when he tried to beat out a ground ball. In 80 games, Eckstein has hit .267 with one homer and 33 RBIs. Pitching matchupSD: RHP Kevin Correia (6-8, 4.84 ERA)
Correia, who has easily been the Padres' most dependable starter this season with Jake Peavy and Chris Young each stuck on the disabled list, was hit hard in his previous start on July 23 against the Phillies. Correia yielded a season-high eight runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings. That also marked his shortest stint of the season. He had previously lasted only 3 2/3 innings in a start on May 4. Correia finished with three walks and two strikeouts. CIN: RHP Bronson Arroyo (10-9, 5.21)
In a 6-2 loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday, Arroyo was charged with five earned runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings with four walks and eight strikeouts. He had six strikeouts through his first three innings. His undoing came in the sixth with one out when he loaded the bases with two walks and a single. After he was lifted, reliever Nick Masset gave up a Manny Ramirez grand slam. Since being acquired by the Reds before the 2006 season, Arroyo leads all Major League pitchers with 123 starts and is third in the NL with 775 2/3 innings pitched. Tidbits
Everth Cabrera hit the first home run of his career in the sixth inning of the Padres' 6-4 loss to the Reds. ... Adrian Gonzalez added his 26th homer of the season after Cabrera. It was the third time this season the Padres have hit back-to-back homers. Gonzalez was involved each time. ... Gonzalez played in his 307th consecutive game Monday, the longest active streak in the Majors. ... Kyle Banks stole the first base of his career in the fifth inning of Monday's game. Tickets
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• Wednesday: Padres (Mat Latos, 1-1, 3.72) at Reds (Aaron Harang, 5-11, 4.25), 4:10 p.m. PT
• Thursday: Padres (Tim Stauffer, 0-2, 3.21) at Reds (Johnny Cueto, 8-7, 3.78), 9:35 a.m. PT
• Friday: Padres (Chad Gaudin, 4-9, 4.57) vs. Brewers (Braden Looper, 9-5, 4.79), 7:05 p.m. PT
Steve Gartner is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
