The Padres signed starting pitcher James Shields to a big free agent contract to win games like this.
The Friars had lost three out of four games, all the losses by shutout. They needed a stopped to get back on track. Shields is supposed to be that stopper.
He ended up getting the win, just not in the manner that was expected.
Shields gave up four home runs to the Diamondbacks on Friday night at Chase Field in Phoenix, but his offense showed up to bail him out in a 6-5 Padres win.
The Padres had a pair of players come close to hitting for the franchise's first cycle. Wil Myers, making his first career start at first base because Yonder Alonso went to the 15-day disabled list, went 4-5, falling a triple shy of the feat. Will Venable, making the start in centerfield because Myers moved to first, went 3-5 and was only short a double.
In all, half of the Padres 12 hits were for extra bases. Cory Spangenberg got the start at 2nd base and was on base five times (a triple and four walks).
On Saturday the Padres send Tyson Ross to the mound. He'll try to break his 3-game losing streak, the longest of his career, against Arizona starter Chase Anderson.
