Padres Start Rookies But Still Lose

Renfroe Collects First Two MLB Hits

Padres rookie rightfielder Hunter Renfroe wasted little time notching his first career hit in the majors.

After getting intentionally walked Wednesday evening the first time he stepped into the batter’s box, Renfroe singled to left field in his first plate appearance Thursday against the Giants.

He finished with two base knocks in four at-bats but was stranded both times he reached safely.

Manny Margot started in center and Carlos Asuaje debuted at second base but both finished hitless in their first MLB starts.

Part of the reason they struggled at the plate was Jeff Samardzija. The right-hander pitched seven shutout innings for San Francisco and struck out nine without walking a single batter.

Samardzija also limited the Padres to only four hits and the Giants shaky bullpen did not quiver this time when handed the lead.

Poway’s Alex Dickerson notched his 10th homer of the season when he sent a towering solo shot over the wall in right.

Dickerson’s blast cut the Giants lead to 2-1 but the Padres could not climb even the rest of the way.

Facing Giants closer Sergio Romo in the bottom of the 9th, Renfroe popped up and Asuaje sent a grounder to shortstop for the final two outs.

Edwin Jackson toes the rubber Friday as the Friars try to bounce back against the Giants.

First pitch is slated for 7:40 p.m. at Petco Park.

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