Lineup 6/1 @ ATL

Padres go for the sweep today. It would be the first time the Padres have swept the Braves since 5/16-18/05 and the first time sweeping a series of at least three games in Atlanta since 8/1-3/89. Here’s who they are going to do it with:

We’re going streaking!

The Pads did it again, winning 5-4 over the Braves last night and extending their winning streak to a season-high four games. Each of the four wins have come by one run (2-1, 5-4, 3-2, 5-4). It is the longest winning streak for the club since taking five straight 8/15-19/10.

Over the current win streak, Heath Bell has tied his career high by picking up four saves in four consecutive days. He also accomplished the feat 8/10-13/10. Bell is one shy of tying the club record for saves in consecutive days (Thanks to Channel 4’s Chyron Bob Wehrsdorfer for the research):

5 Saves

Mark Davis, 9/2-6/89

Rollie Fingers, 5/28-31/77 (two saves during doubleheader on 5/30)

4 Saves

Heath Bell, 5/28/11-current

Heath Bell, 8/10-13/10

Trevor Hoffman, 5/25-28/08

Trevor Hoffman, 7/5-8/06

Also of note, Mat Latos picked up another win with 6.0 innings of two-run ball last night.  He has won two straight and three of his last four, lowering his ERA to 3.97 on the year.

Ryan Ludwick continues to pound the ball, collecting four hits last night.  He is 9-for-14 over his last three games and finished the month of May hitting .314.

5/31 Lineup @ ATL

Padres lineup - May 31

Chase Headley is working on a season-high nine-game hitting streak (11-for-33, .333) and is one away from tying his career-high of hitting in 10-straight games (6/25-7/5/08).

Mat Latos is coming off his 5/25 vs. STL start, when he worked a season-high 8.0 innings of one-run ball for his second win of the year.

Rolling right along

The Padres took their third straight with an extra-inning 3-2 win over the Braves. Heath Bell picked up the save, his third in as many days. It is the third time in his career that he as picked up three saves in three days, also accomplishing the feat 4/16-18/09 and 8/10-13/10 (four straight).

Ryan Ludwick continues his tear at the plate, going 2-for-5 with two RBI yesterday. Over his last 17 games, dating back to 5/11, he is hitting .364 (24-for-66) with four home runs and 19 RBI, raising his average 63 points over that span. With 22 RBI in May, Ludwick ranks third in the National League. He is tied for eighth in the NL on the season with 34.

Bring on the Braves

The Padres took two of three from Washington, sealing the deal with a 5-4 come-from-behind win today. Since the beginning of the 2004 season, the Padres have gone 34-12 (.739) against the Washington/Montreal franchise, posting a 13-2 series record.

The club begins a three-game set at Atlanta tomorrow with Aaron Harang taking on Tim Hudson. Harang has allowed just two runs (one earned) in his last two starts, working 15.0 innings. The Padres will be looking for their first series victory over the Braves since 8/25-27/09. That three-game series in 2009 is the only series victory for the Padres over the Braves since 2005.

Here are the probables for the upcoming series:

Monday – RHP Aaron Harang vs. RHP Tim Hudson

Tuesday – RHP Mat Latos vs. LHP Mike Minor

Wednesday – LHP Clayton Richard vs. RHP Tommy Hanson

Photo Contest Winners!

Congrats to the winners of our first photo contest. Take a look at the winning submissions below.

First, our grand prize goes to Luke and Brant. Luke (left) decided to celebrate his sixth birthday by going to his first Padres game with his friend (and dad, of course).

Our first runner up is Justin, who came  to the May 19 game and got a shot with the Aztec band. I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!

And finally, our second runner up is David, who sent in this artsy shot of Luke Gregerson watching the game from the bullpen.

It’s as simple as that, folks. Come to a game, take a picture, come to another game on us. Keep an eye out for our next contest. Got an idea for a good contest? Leave a comment with your thoughts.