Padres Done In By Home Runs, Drop Series To Reds

The Padres won the opening game of the series Thursday night in dramatic fashion. The win gave the Padres a season-high six game winning streak, and filled a beleaguered fanbase with excitement. By Sunday, the Padres had dropped three in a row, and go into the All-Star break on a sour note.

The Reds used a barrage of home runs, and a solid outing by starter Johnny Cueto to take the series from San Diego.

The Reds opened up the scoring in the 4th, when Jay Bruce drove a pitch into deep center for a two-run blast. Former Padre Ryan Ludwick followed up the Bruce blast with a shot of his own. Reds All-Star first baseman Joey Votto drove a pitch to deep left center. Cameron Maybin made a spectualar grab, leaping at the wall to take away an extra base hit, and a possible home run.

The Padres got on the board in the fifth, when the aforementioned Maybin led off the inning with a double. With one out, and a runner on third, Chris Denorfia grounded into a fielder’s choice, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

San Diego had their greatest threat in the 6th, when they loaded the bases, courtesy of three singles. With two outs, Mark Kotsay drew a walk to cut the Reds lead to 3-2. Denorfia had a chance to be the hero, but flew out to right to end the inning.

The Reds added an insurance run in the 7th, and the Padres could not strike back. Aroldis Chapman pitched a spotless ninth to pick up his 11th save.

Cueto got the win for Cincinnati, allowing just 2 earned runs in 5.2 innings. Padres starter Jason Marquis took the loss, allowing  3 earned runs in 5 innings. Marquis started the game on just three days rest.

The Padres will go into the All-Star break with a record of 34-53.