Held in check over eight innings, the Padres trailed 4-0 and were on the verge of getting shutout for the 12th time this season.
In the franchise’s first-ever trip to Toronto, San Diego’s home run streak was also in jeopardy.
Then Padres outfielder Alex Dickerson stepped to the plate and promptly sliced the deficit in half with a towering two-run homer off of Toronto reliever Bo Schultz.
Dickerson’s smash extended the Padres homer streak to 23 consecutive games but ultimately would be the only real damage the offense could inflict on Monday night.
Toronto held on a for 4-2 victory thanks in part to Aaron Sanchez.
The right-hander struck out seven Padres over seven scoreless innings and limited the Padres to just three base knocks.
It was the 10th straight winning decision for Sanchez who improved to 11-1.
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With the loss, the Padres fell to 2-6 on their current 10-game road trip.
Dickerson started in left field for Melvin Upton Junior, who was held out for the second straight game despite being healthy.
Look for Upton to be traded before next Monday’s 1 pm PT trade deadline if the Padres can agree on a return that sets them up nicely for the future.
Padres starter Colin Rea was solid but not spectacular. He allowed three runs and five hits over six innings of work.
But he was touched for two runs in the 5th inning after allowing a triple to Michael Saunders and a sacrifice fly by Troy Tulowitzki in the 4th.
Andrew Cashner is on the trade block but is listed as Tuesday’s starting pitcher.
Barring a trade before first pitch at 4:07 pm, manager Andy Green expects Cashner to start opposite Toronto’s Marcus Stroman.
