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Geer, Padres look to finish strong against Pirates

Sep 26, 2008 - 10:26 AM Pittsburgh (65-94) at San Diego (62-97), 10:05pm EDT

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Padres haven't had much to celebrate this season, but over the last few weeks they have gotten a good look at a potential piece of the future.

Since being called up from Class AAA Portland on August 30, Padres righthander Josh Geer (2-1, 2.86) has made a solid impression in four starts. He will get his fifth and final start of his first season on Friday as the Padres host the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Geer, a third-round pick out of Rice in 2005, hasn't given up more than two runs in any of his outings. While he has certainly put runners on the bases - giving up 26 hits and nine walks in 22 innings - he has been able to consistently get out of trouble. In his last start, he was the hard-luck loser after giving up one run and five hits over five innings as the Padres fell to the Colorado Rockies, 1-0, last Wednesday.

Six days earlier, he had his longest professional outing yet, going seven strong innings in an 11-3 triumph over the San Francisco Giants. He gave up two runs and nine hits while striking out two without a walk.

It wasn't an easy trek to the majors this year, however. He struggled at Portland going 8-9 in 28 appearances with a 4.54 ERA.

Countering for the Pirates will be righthander Ian Snell (6-12, 5.54). The 26-year-old hurler has struggled through a difficult year following a promising 2007 campaign. He has not faced the Padres this year, but had a strong showing against them in one start last year. In a September 19, 2007 game at Petco Park, he held the Padres to two runs - one earned - and four hits over seven frames.

However, he did not factor in the decision as San Diego won, 5-3.