In his first two outings, Robbie Erlin was arguably the Padres’ best starting pitcher. Granted, his first appearance was in relief, but he tossed 3.2 scoreless innings in Colorado (no small feat), then threw 6.0 innings on one-run ball in Philadelphia (another hitter’s paradise).
But any thoughts that Erlin would be even better when he got back to the pitcher-friendly Petco Park were erased in the first inning of San Diego’s 7-3 loss to the Diamondbacks on Sunday.
Erlin allowed a 2-run home run to Yasmany Tomas, the fourth batter of the game, then surrendered two more long balls, including another by Tomas in the 6th inning. Arizona got fourth round-tripper from Phil Gosselin in the 8th innings off reliever Kevin Quackenbush that really put the game out of reach.
The Padres offense tried to help out Erlin by getting some help from the Arizona defense. In the bottom of the first Wil Myers led off with a single. Myers was in the leadoff spot for the first time this season while centerfielder Jon Jay got a day off and had two more hits, giving him six hits in the last two games. Cory Spangenberg followed with a bunt single and the throw by pitcher Patrick Corbin flew down the right field line, allowing Myers to score and Spangenberg to head to third base.
Matt Kemp followed with a line drive to left field that was misplayed by Rickie Weeks, allowing Spangenberg to score. Kemp was thrown out trying to stretch it in to a triple, snuffing out the potential for a big inning.
San Diego’s other run came on a RBI triple by Melvin Upton Jr. that scored Kemp in the 3rd inning giving the Padres a 3-2 lead that didn’t last long. Brandon Drury demolished an Erlin offering in the 4th for a 2-run shot and the Diamondbacks never trailed again.
The Padres fall to 4-9 on the season and 1-5 at home. They have a day off on Monday before starting a 3-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night at Petco Park.
