Wells Cannot Win in Comeback, Padres Lose In Houston

Kip Wells pitched in the big leagues for the first time since 2009 on Tuesday night, but his fifth inning error did in the Padres, and they lost game two of the series, 5-3.

Will Venable led off the third inning with a homer to give the Padres a 1-0 lead. The hit was initially ruled a triple, but upon further review, the umpires gave Venable his sixth dinger of the year.

The Padres had a chance to open up a bigger lead against Astros starter Jordan Lyles, but the Padres could not cash in. San Diego loaded the bases with one out in the second inning, but Lyles retired Logan Forsythe on a ground ball, and Kip Wells struck out to end the inning. Through the first five innings, the Padres left eight runners on base.

With the score tied at one in the fifth inning, Kip Wells made a brilliant stab at a come-backer, and had the chance to start a double play. However, Wells’ errant throw allowed the Astros to extend the inning. The Astros took the lead for good on a wild pitch from Kip Wells. The Astros scored three more times in the inning — on a RBI single by Brian Bogusevic, and a two-run homer from J.D. Martinez. Wells pitched five innings for the Padres, and he gave up five runs(two earned), while allowing seven hits and three walks.

The Padres tried to make it interesting, by scoring two runs in the top of the ninth, courtesy of Chase Headley. Headley came into the game as a pinch-hitter, and played first base for the first time since 2009. The Padres left the bases loaded against Astros closer Brett Myers, but he was able to get Alexi Amarista to ground into a fielders choice to end the game.

NOTES: To make room on the active roster for Kip Wells, the Padres optioned Andy Parrino to AAA Tucson. The Padres also recalled RHP Nick Vincent from AAA Tucson, and sent down RHP Brad Boxberger to AAA. Vincent made his ML debut in Tuesday night’s game, pitching two scoreless innings. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Padres transferred Joe Wieland to the 60-day disabled list.