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San Diego Padres (30-38) at Cleveland Indians (31-36), 7:05 p.m.

(Sports Network) - Right-hander Josh Banks can continue a spectacular start to his initial season as a National Leaguer tonight, when the San Diego Padres visit Progressive Field to begin a three-game interleague series with the Cleveland Indians.

Banks reached the majors last season with the Toronto Blue Jays and appeared in three games, allowing 11 hits and six runs in 7 1/3 innings. He moved to the NL with the Padres this year and has been stellar in four games, including two starts, since being called up from the minors.

In 23 innings, the 25-year-old former second-round draft choice has allowed just 19 hits and a single earned run, while walking five and striking out 13.

Banks defeated Cincinnati in relief on May 25 and returned with a start and a win against San Francisco six days later. Over that span, he gave up just 11 hits and an unearned run in 15 innings.

He last started on June 5 against the New York Mets and allowed five hits and a run in six innings while getting a no-decision in the Padres' 2-1 triumph. Banks has never faced the Indians.

Southpaw Jeremy Sowers makes his fourth start of the season for Cleveland tonight.

The sixth overall selection in the 2004 draft, Sowers has split 2008 between the Indians and Triple-A Buffalo, where he went 3-4 with a 2.08 earned run average in 10 starts.

The Vanderbilt product last appeared on Sunday against Detroit, losing a 5-2 decision after giving up seven hits and five runs in four innings.

He'd made previous spot starts on April 26 and May 16, combining to allow 12 hits and six runs in 10 1/3 innings.

Sowers has never faced the Padres.

In San Diego's most recent contest, Jake Peavy was brilliant in his first game back since missing almost a month with an elbow injury as the Padres defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers, 9-0, to take Thursday's finale of a three-game set from Petco Park.

Peavy (5-3) was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 20 with a strained flexor muscle in his right arm. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner allowed just three hits in six frames while fanning four en route to the win on Thursday.

The ace pitcher now has a 2.64 earned run average and 64 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings of work this season.

Brian Giles hit a three-run home run for the Padres, who have won seven of eight, while Adrian Gonzalez had a solo shot and finished with two RBI and two scored. Luke Carlin also had a pair of RBI in the win, which were the first of his major league career.

Cleveland is coming off Thursday's 12-2 rout of the Minnesota Twins in which the club pounded out 18 hits. Ben Francisco drove in three runs and Shin-Soo Choo belted a three-run homer to help the Indians win the rubber match of the three-game series.

Jamey Carroll finished 4-for-4 with a run scored and a run batted in, while Jhonny Peralta and Kelly Shoppach both added two RBI for the Indians, who have won three of their last four games. Grady Sizemore added a solo home run in the win.

Aaron Laffey (4-3) earned the win after he allowed one run on five hits in six innings with four strikeouts.

The Indians did receive some bad news on Thursday, however. The club was forced to place starting catcher Victor Martinez on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed elbow, and second baseman Josh Barfield was also put on the DL to an injured finger.

Cleveland is 4-2 lifetime against the Padres and took two of three tests from San Diego at Progressive Field during the 2003 season.


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