JP Sears To Make Season Debut As Padres Look To Complete Sweep Of Braves

The San Diego Padres have had their struggles over the last month, particularly on offense, but winning a series over the Atlanta Braves and being in position to sweep them is a huge momentum boost going forward.

The Padres have fought hard to win the first two games, both by one run, and must continue to fight hard to finish the sweep against a tough Braves team that has been scuffling as of late.

San Diego won a thrilling 7-6 ballgame in 10 innings and third baseman Manny Machado was the big hero, knocking in center fielder Jackson Merrill with a single to win it. The other big hero was right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., who hit his third home run of the season – a solo shot in the seventh to tie the game at 6.

Tatis collected another RBI on a double earlier in the game and has been feeling it for more than 30 games now. San Diego needs its Major League Baseball-worst offense to get going and it appears its stars are starting to pick it up.

The Padres are still a half-game back from the Chicago Cubs for the final National League wild card spot at 41-37, but a win tonight would have the two teams tied.

The pitching matchup of the finale will consist of a couple of left-handers: Atlanta’s veteran Martin Perez and San Diego’s JP Sears, who is making his season debut.

Perez is 6-3 with a 2.78 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 56 strikeouts to 23 walks through 15 games (11 starts, 68 innings). The 35-year-old has been electric for Atlanta and has just two appearances in which he gave up four runs, consistently allowing three or less per outing.

He last worked against the Milwaukee Brewers and threw the kitchen sink at them, allowing just one run on six hits and two walks while fanning five over six innings of work to outduel Jacob Misiorowski.

Sears didn’t make the club out of spring training and hasn’t pitched well enough to earn a call-up prior to Lucas Giolito’s injury. Giolito was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation and because San Diego’s starting pitching is thin, Sears got the call.

In Triple-A El Paso, Sears is 4-3 with a 7.92 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 62 strikeouts to 28 walks through 14 starts (63.2 innings). He allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits with four strikeouts through four innings in his last outing.

First pitch is at 5:40 p.m. PDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.