First Inning Runs Doom Padres In Loss To Giants

The Padres fell behind early, and it proved to be too much to overcome, as the Padres lost to the Giants 6-5. The Giants jumped out to a lead in the 1st inning, scoring three runs off of Padres starter Clayton Richard. Richard has struggled in the first inning this year, allowing 11 earned runs in the first inning of his 12 starts this year.

The Padres fought back in their half of the first, as Chris Denorfia led off with a double. Chase Headley drove in Deno with a double, and Jesus Guzman drove in Headley with a triple to right. The Padres were able to cut the lead to one, in an unusually high-scoring inning for two teams that are offensively-challenged.

After a Gregor Blanco solo shot gave the Giants a 4-2 lead, Cameron Maybin struck with just his second homer of the year, a blast to deep left field. It was Maybin’s first home run since Opening Day, and hopefully it is a sign of more offense to come.  The Padres were back within a run at 4-3.

The momentum was short-lived, as the Giants scored two unearned runs on a Logan Forsythe error, and the Giants built a three-run lead they would not relinquish.

The Padres cut the lead to 6-5, with a pair of  RBI groundouts, one in the 6th inning by Everth Cabrera, and another added by Headley in the 7th.

The Padres had runners on the corners in the 8th, but Mark Kotsay grounded out to the pitcher. The Padres went down without a whimper in the 9th, as Sergio Romo nailed down the save.

Clayton Richard took the loss, allowing 6 runs(4 earned) in his 5.2 innings of work. His record dropped to 2-7. The Padres can win the series tomorrow, as Jason Marquis is slated to make his Padres debut.