(Sports Network) - The San Diego Padres are back on top in the National League West and have a good chance at extending their lead in the division with Mat Latos scheduled to take the hill Sunday versus the San Francisco Giants in the finale of a four-game series at Petco Park.
Latos hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in a start since June 4 at Philadelphia, going 9-1 with a mere 1.49 earned run average in 15 starts since. The Padres, who grabbed a one-game edge over the Giants in the NL West on Saturday, are 11-4 in that stretch with Latos on the mound. He last pitched in Tuesday's 2-1 over the Dodgers and gave up a run and four hits in seven innings of work.
The right-hander improved to 14-5 in 26 starts to go along with a 2.21 ERA. Latos is 2-0 in four career starts against the Giants.
Tim Lincecum draws the start for the Giants this afternoon and has won consecutive starts since a personal five-game losing streak. He ended the drought with eight innings of one-run ball versus Colorado on Sept. 1, then struck out 11 Arizona batters in a 6-3 triumph on Tuesday.
Lincecum allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings at Arizona, improving to 13-9 with a 3.69 ERA over 29 starts. The righty and two-time defending NL Cy Young Award winner will make his 13th career start against San Diego and is 4-3 with a 2.16 ERA through the first 12 appearances -- all starts. Lincecum just lost to the Padres on August 15.
San Diego has dominated the season series with the Giants by a 10-4 count, including a 5-3 ledger at Petco Park.