Padres Falling Back to Earth?
After their best start since 2009, the Padres hit a rough patch this week losing four in a row, including getting swept by the Rockies in a two game mini series at Petco Park.
The series began with a 5-2 loss on Monday. San Diego fell behind in the 2nd on a two-run double Ian Desmond, but got a run back in the 4th on a solo home run by Franmil Reyes, his fourth of the year.
Despite the home run, the Padres offense was mostly shut down by Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela who went 6.2 innings allowing one run on six hits. Padres starter Joey Lucchesi struggled going 7 innings but allowed five runs on seven hits.
Nolan Arenado homered in the top of the 6th and Desmond homered in the 7th to make it 4-1 Rockies. Charlie Blackmon drove in another run in the 7th on a groundout extending the lead to 5-1.
Wil Myers homered in the bottom of the ninth to make it 5-2. It was Myers 100th career home run. After the home run the Padres got the tying run to the plate but Ian Kinsler struck out with runners on first and second and Colorado held on for the win.
On Tuesday San Diego once again fell behind early, this time on an Arenado two-run homer in the top of the first. Colorado added another run in the second and two more in the third to take a 5-0 lead.
Once again the Padres struggled to muster up offense against the Rockies pitching as starter Jon Gray held the Padres to one run on three hits in 7 innings of work.
That one run came on a Myers solo home run, his fifth of the year.
Colorado got the run right back in the 7th on a solo home run then added two more in the 9th. San Diego scored a consolation run in the 9th as the final score was 8-2.
Thursday saw the Cincinnati Reds come into town for a four game series and once again the Padres offense struggled in a 4-1 loss.
Joey Votto open the game with a solo home run and the Reds added two more in the 5th to take a 3-0 lead.
Manny Machado drove in a run in the 6th on a ground rule double but the Padres offense was shut down from there on out.
Over this four game losing streak, San Diego has been outscored 33-9.
Their record now stands at 11-9, 1.5 games out of first place in the NL West.
Matt Strahm (0-2, 4.26 ERA) will get the start tonight vs. the Reds with Eric Lauer (2-2, 4.91 ERA) getting the ball tomorrow.
