Game 47: Pirates at Padres

Game two of four in San Diego.
Probable starters: Francisco Liriano (2-4, 3.86) vs. James Shields (6-0, 3.75)
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/201505...game_pk=414376
"By Jay Paris / MLB.com | + 15 COMMENTS
SAN DIEGO -- Can the Padres' James Shields slow down the sizzling Pirates in San Diego on Friday night?
Shields (6-0) is off to a solid start and could be representing San Diego come July at the All-Star Game. He's proved to be worth the $75 million contract he signed in the offseason.
But the Pirates are among the Majors' hottest teams, advancing in the National League Central standings after being four games under .500 on May 20. Pittsburgh seeks its eighth straight win, just one shy of its longest successful run of nine games in 2013.
Pittsburgh will counters with Francisco Liriano (2-4).
Three things to know about this game:
• Mostly a fastball-changeup pitcher in his previous eight seasons, the curveball has become Shields' weapon. He's throwing it twice as often as last season and his total of 157 swings-and-misses is among the league leaders.
• Padres left fielder Justin Upton is settling in at Petco Park. His nine home runs are tied for the most in the ballpark before the All-Star break with Adrian Gonzalez (2008), Scott Hairston (2008) and Will Venable (2013).
• In their seven-game winning streak, the Pirates' starters are 7-0 with a 2.39 ERA. The starters' ERA of 3.19 is second in the Majors, behind the Cardinals' 3.08.
Jay Paris is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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