Kemp, Padres host Mariners for two-game home set

Mike Montgomery has been a revelation for the Seattle Mariners' battered rotation.

They hope the left-hander can continue his success Tuesday night against a San Diego Padres team that has punished rookie starters.

Injuries to Hisashi Iwakuma and James Paxton, who combined for 21 wins last season, left the Mariners short-handed in terms of starting pitching. That prompted the call up of Montgomery (2-2, 2.04 ERA).

He tossed a complete game in his fifth career start last Tuesday against Kansas City, striking out 10 while allowing five hits in the 7-0 win. Montgomery became the first Seattle lefty to strike out 10 with no walks in a shutout.

"I probably had a little more emotion going in than I normally do," said Montgomery, who was drafted by the Royals in the first round in 2008. "I know a lot of those guys. I was with them for five years. It was definitely a little extra added on to it."

While Montgomery might not have the same incentive as he did against his first organization, he posted a 2.73 ERA through his four other outings.

Rookie pitchers haven't fared well versus San Diego, however, going 2-8 with a 6.15 ERA in 12 outings.

Additionally, the Padres (37-41) come off their first series win in six tries, taking two of three from Arizona, though they lost 6-4 on Sunday.

Matt Kemp is 7 for 20 with two homers and five RBIs in five games since moving to the leadoff spot, but he downplayed the significance of that adjustment.

"I keep feeling better, keep grinding, keep working," said Kemp, whose .661 OPS ranks near the bottom of the NL. "The swing is going to come. I can still hit."

San Diego's Ian Kennedy (4-6, 5.09) lost for the first time in five outings Wednesday at San Francisco, but only one of the six runs he allowed in six innings was earned. It was his third straight quality start.

"My fastball command has been a lot better," he told MLB's official website. "Early on, it was hit or miss. One start I would have good command, the next it would run back over the plate and I would give up home runs, a lot of mistakes."

Kennedy has struggled in interleague action, going 5-11 with a 5.49 ERA in 17 starts. He gave up five runs in 4 2-3 innings of an 11-4 loss at Seattle on May 12, surrendering homers to Kyle Seager and Logan Morrison.

The right-hander has actually been worse at pitcher-friendly Petco Park, posting a 6.82 ERA in seven games compared to a 3.38 mark in six on the road.

Seattle (34-42) has dropped five of seven, scoring two runs or fewer in each loss. Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz are both 5 for 25 in that span while Morrison and Seager are 4 for 23 and 4 for 24. Mark Trumbo is 1 for 21.

San Diego third baseman Will Middlebrooks left Sunday after rolling his ankle when he tripped over a bat in the on-deck circle while trying to track down a popup. He was set to be reevaluated Monday, though interim manager Pat Murphy said "it doesn't appear to be a long-term thing."

These clubs split two meetings in Seattle last month.

The Padres are 4-8 against AL teams, allowing 6.9 runs per game.