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Mets-Padres Preview

Aug 8, 2009 - 7:21 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

New York (51-57) at San Diego (45-65), 10:05 p.m. EDT

Playing the New York Mets at Petco Park seems to bring out the best in the San Diego Padres offense.

The Padres look to win their eighth straight at home over the Mets on Saturday when the teams continue a four-game series.

San Diego (46-65) - in last place in the NL West - has won eight of 11, including the last two against New York (51-58). The Padres came into this series having scored 13 runs in their previous five games, but they followed Thursday's 8-3 win with a 6-2 victory Friday.

Rookie Everth Cabrera hit a grand slam in the ninth off closer Francisco Rodriguez Friday after going 0 for 3 with three strikeouts and a sacrifice bunt in his previous at-bats.

"I definitely felt bad," Cabrera said through first-base coach Rick Renteria, who acted as his translator. "I felt like I was going to get it done."

Cabrera, a Rule V pick taken from Colorado, had never played higher than Class A before this season. He is hitting .385 with five doubles, three triples and two homers in his last 14 games.

"We all like the fact that he continues to grow," manager Bud Black said.

Black's team has won seven straight at home over the Mets since a 7-0 loss July 17, 2007. San Diego has scored 33 runs in those victories, and overall is averaging 5.6 runs against New York this season despite ranking last in the majors in runs per game (3.8).

The Mets, meanwhile, continue to stumble, losing seven of 10. The Padres tied Friday's game in the ninth when Will Venable's double into the right-field corner scored Kyle Blanks, although replays seemed to indicate that catcher Brian Schneider tagged Blanks' hand before he touched home.

"A tough one," said Rodriguez following his second straight blown save and fifth in 29 chances this season. "After that, everything fell apart."

David Wright had three hits while driving in a run. He's hitting .423 with 11 RBIs in the last 15 games after batting .194 with two RBIs during the previous 18.

New York played Friday without second baseman Luis Castillo (ankle) and outfielder Gary Sheffield (hamstring). Castillo, a .306 lifetime hitter against the Padres, might play Saturday night, but manager Jerry Manuel said it would more likely be Sunday. Sheffield, meanwhile, remains uncertain.

The injury-plagued Mets will give Bobby Parnell (2-3, 3.74 ERA) his first career start as he takes the place of Mike Pelfrey, who remained in New York following the birth of his first child. Parnell is expected to stay in the rotation after Jon Niese suffered a season-ending injury Wednesday.

Parnell pitched against Arizona on Monday and against St. Louis on Wednesday for a combined five scoreless innings of relief. He gave up two hits while striking out four and picked up a save.

The right-hander's only appearance against the Padres was one perfect inning on April 15.

Mat Latos (3-1, 2.66) gets the ball for the Padres looking to win a fourth straight start following a loss in his major league debut. The 21-year-old right-hander has pitched seven innings in each of his last two outings, allowing a total of three runs and seven hits.