ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs rally once again neutralized by Padres response in loss

Apr 13, 2019, 10:06 PM

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) reaches down to tag out Arizona Diamondbacks' Jar...

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) reaches down to tag out Arizona Diamondbacks' Jarrod Dyson (1) during a rundown in the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX — In the series opener between the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres on Thursday, the D-backs scored five runs in the seventh inning to tie the game, only to surrender the lead and the game the very next inning on a solo home run.

Saturday, Arizona scored four runs in the sixth to tie the game up before San Diego’s Franmil Reyes homered off Matt Andriese in the top of the seventh for a 5-4 D-backs deficit that held to loss number four in a row.

It’s a frustrating loss for the D-backs beyond that, from the beginning of the game to the end.

Arizona hitters got great contact off Padres starter Matt Strahm but stranded a baserunner in scoring position in each of the opening three innings.

San Diego was more advantageous against Merrill Kelly.

The D-backs right-hander could never get himself established. The Padres had three hits in the first, including a two-RBI single by Eric Hosmer.

Ian Kinsler began the second with a double, but even after two more singles, Kelly was able to keep them scoreless in that half-inning and the gap at only two runs.

He wasn’t so lucky in the third, though, when highly-touted rookie Fernando Tatis Jr. followed up a Hosmer double with a two-run homer obliterated to left-center for a four-run Padres lead.

That’s a whole lot of momentum-shifting baseball in the opening third of the game but Kelly was able to settle down a bit and get through five innings.

The D-backs broke through the wall in the sixth.

Christian Walker struck out after David Peralta’s walk, and from there, the D-backs had a runner advance on five straight batters. Eduardo Escobar and Nick Ahmed singled, with Ahmed bringing home Peralta.

Carson Kelly’s double scored Escobar and a fielder’s choice for Ildemaro Vargas moved Kelly to third and saw Ahmed cross home plate. With Adam Jones at the plate down a run and Kelly 90 feet away from tying the game, a grounder hit deep into the left side was enough for Jones to not give Tatis a play and score Kelly.

“It’s just one of the characteristics that this team has that we keep fighting and clawing,” manager Torey Lovullo said after the game of the inning.

The back-breaking inning would be the seventh, and not just because of Reyes’ go-ahead dinger. The Padres walked four straight D-backs hitters to start the inning, and if you’re wondering why that didn’t result in any runs, it’s because Jarrod Dyson was caught stealing on second.

Padres reliever Trey Wingenter’s motion fooled Dyson into thinking a pitch was coming and easily caught Dyson in a rundown.

Dyson said after the game he had never seen the righty’s “inside move” that was able to catch him off-guard.

On second with no outs in a one-run game, the question of Dyson even trying to steal a base is warranted but Lovullo said he’s always going to give Dyson a green light if he wants it.

“I felt like putting it in his hands, he felt comfortable probably making a decision and it just didn’t work out,” Lovullo said of Dyson, the outfielder who is well-known for his base-stealing ability. “Sometimes you get clipped.”

So, after Dyson, Peralta and Walker walked, Escobar was hit by a pitch and Ahmed hit into a double play to end the inning.

The ninth inning presented an opportunity for retribution, when, as the first inning for the D-backs started with a double, so too did the ninth with Ketel Marte.

But like Jones, Marte was left stranded at second for three straight outs. Pinch-hitter Tim Locastro failed to get a bunt down by striking out, Peralta also was punched out and Walker gave Padres closer Kirby Yates the turkey and his ninth save in nine opportunities.

Andriese (1-2) was given the loss while Padres reliever Craig Stammen (2-0) got the win for cleaning up the aftermath of the sixth.

UP NEXT

Arizona looks to avoid the sweep and five defeats in a row on Sunday against the Padres at 1:10 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) reaches down to tag out Arizona Diamondbacks' Jarrod Dyson (1) during a rundown in the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres right fielder Hunter Renfroe is unable to make a catch on a double by Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte during the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. The Padre won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Wilmer Flores, left, reaches over to tag San Diego Padres' Wil Myers, right, as Myers tries to steal second base during the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. The Padres won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres relief pitcher Kirby Yates celebrates after the final out of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. The Padres won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., right, celebrates a win against the Arizona Diamondbacks with second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) after a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. The Padres won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar, front left, is restrained by umpire Mike Muchlinski, left, after Escobar was hit by a pitch thrown by San Diego Padres reliever Trey Wingenter, right, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer celebrates after the Padres turned an inning-ending double play against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) reaches down to tag out Arizona Diamondbacks' Jarrod Dyson (1) during a rundown in the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres' Franmil Reyes (32) celebrates his home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with teammates Eric Hosmer, left, and Ian Kinsler, second from left, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., right, pauses with the baseball after making a fielding error on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Adam Jones, as Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) kneels after making a diving attempt for the grounder during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres pitcher Gerardo Reyes, right, pauses with third baseman Manny Machado and catcher Austin Hedges, left, during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar (5) is congratulated by David Peralta, left, after scoring against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres starting pitcher Matt Strahm sits in the dugout during the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eduardo Escobar (5) tags out San Diego Padres' Ian Kinsler, left, during a rundown in the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., left, celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with San Diego Padres coach Damion Easley (15) during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges, left, throws down to the first baseman after Arizona Diamondbacks' Adam Jones, right, was called out on strikes during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres starting pitcher Matt Strahm throws to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta grimaces after being hit by a pitch during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the San Diego Padres on Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres' Manuel Margot, right, and Manny Machado (13) celebrate after they scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Padres' Eric Hosmer connects for a two-run single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Adam Jones, right, is unable to make a catch on a foul ball hit by San Diego Padres' Hunter Renfroe as first baseman Christian Walker (53) watches during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta, left, shortstop Nick Ahmed (13) and center fielder Ketel Marte, right, are unable to make a play on a bloop single hit by San Diego Padres' Manny Machado during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly throws to a San Diego Padres batter during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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