Dose of Venom: Diamondbacks’ skid extends to seven after losing series opener to Padres

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks tried to claw their way to a win, which would have broken a six-game losing streak, but they fell short to the San Diego Padres 6-5 on Friday night.

Despite giving up two runs or fewer in his last five straight starts, Vidal Nuno could not figure out the Padres.

In his second career start against the Friars, Nuno had his worst outing since joining the Diamondbacks. The lefty lasted just five innings, giving up six runs on eight hits at Chase Field.

“I was trying to do too much,” said the D-backs starter. “I was over-thinking and over-throwing, and they put the ball in play.”

The D-backs did strike first with an RBI single by A.J. Pollock. However, the Padres came back with a RBI groundout by Rymer Liriano and an RBI triple from Cameron Maybin. They later added three runs in the third and fourth innings with RBIs from Jedd Gyorko, Yasmani Grandal, and Yangervis Solarte. A solo home run by Rene Rivers in the fifth gave San Diego a 6-1 lead.

“We just got too far behind, but we hit some solid balls tonight,” said D-backs manager Kirk Gibson.

The Padres not only racked up runs on the scoreboard, but they also flashed the leather.

“Gyorko and (Alexi) Amarista both had some good plays, and we have to give them credit for that,” said Gibson.

Up until the fifth frame, Padres starter Eric Stults allowed one run on four hits and got the D-backs to ground into two double plays. However, Stults found himself in trouble in the fifth as Pollock launched a three-run homer to left field on the first pitch to put the D-backs one run behind the Padres.

“I just wanted to be aggressive on that first pitch,” said Pollock. “I wanted to put a good swing and get a runner in, and I got the ball in the air to get it out of the park.”

However, the momentum from Pollock’s home run didn’t carry over. Going into Friday night, the Padres were 50-1 this season when leading after six innings. The D-backs did threaten in the bottom of ninth with runners at first and third, but again it was the Padres’ stellar defense that clinched them a win.

THE GOOD

Ender Inciarte went 2-for-4 on the night with a double and a single. Inciarte now has 73 hits since June 24, leading all NL rookies.

Along with his three-run homer and going 3-for-4, Pollock was also credited with an outfield assist, throwing out Amarista at second in the sixth.

THE BAD

With a miscue in the third by Inciarte, the D-backs ended their streak of errorless home games at nine.

Going into Friday’s game, D-backs starters allowed three or fewer runs in 14 straight games; however, that streak fell apart as Nuno allowed six runs in five innings.

NOTED

• Miguel Montero’s 13-game hitting streak versus the Padres came to an end. Montero went 0-for-3 with a walk, his third straight hitless game.

• Joe Paterson made his first appearance with the D-backs since June 21, 2013, recording one out — a fly ball to right field in the eighth.

• Recently recalled from Triple-A Reno, Brett Jackson was used as a pinch-runner for Cody Ross in the ninth.

• The Reno Aces defeated Omaha 2-1 in Game 3 of the Pacific Coast League Championship on Friday night. They are just one win away from reaching the Triple-A Baseball Championship.

STAT OF THE GAME

7: The number of consecutive losses by the D-backs, breaking their season high of six — set back in April and August.

HE SAID IT

“Knowing that I got some run support today, I just blew it a little bit. The guys came back and put up a fight, but unfortunately it’s a another loss in the column.” -Nuno on his rough outing.

UP NEXT

The Diamondbacks look to even the series Saturday as rookie Chase Anderson faces off against Padres right-hander Tyson Ross.

Anderson (8-6, 3.71) is coming off a no-decision on Sept. 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He threw six innings and allowed two runs on four hits while racking up six strikeouts. He is 0.1 innings pitched from tying his professional high of 137.2 — which he set in 2012.

Ross (13-13, 2.66) took the loss in his last start in Colorado. He allowed three runs on seven hits while throwing only 5.2 innings. However, in 23 of his last 28 starts, he has thrown six or more innings, and the Padres have won seven of his last 10 outings. Saturday will be his 31st start of the season.

First pitch is at 5:10 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning a half-hour earlier on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.