San Diego Padres Lose To Los Angeles Dodgers

It would appear that the Padres’ incredible start to the second half of the season is behind them

After dropping three of four games in St. Louis, the Padres needed open up the Los Angeles series in a big way. Instead, they found themselves losing 6-8.

They did, technically open the series in a big way. The Padres were swinging and connecting early and often. San Diego got things going in the top of the first when Abraham Almonte doubled to right field and Seth Smith walked. With two on and one out, it was Jedd Gyorko who launched a three-run homer to center field to give San Diego their first and only lead of the ball game.

In the bottom of the second, the lead would get reduced to one when Ian Kennedy gave up a Justin Turner double to left-center field that would score Carl Crawford. This would only be the first of many times that Crawford would ruin any plans the Padres had of winning this game. Kennedy would immediately give up another run when Turner would score from first base on a Erisbel Arruebarrena single to right field. The rally stopped there as the next two batters would line out and strike out.

After Almonte singled to lead off the third, Seth Smith put together a nine-pitch at bat that ended with a strikeout. Almonte was running on the pitch and was gunned out at second base by A.J. Ellis. Jedd Gyorko struck out to end the inning.

The Dodgers had all types of fun in the bottom of the fourth. Kennedy started the inning with a double, a walk, a RBI double, and another walk. With runners at the corners and one out, A.J. Ellis hit a sacrifice fly to center field that would score Carl Crawford from third. Justin Turner would score on a Jake Goebbert throwing error during the next at bat. Kennedy managed to calm things down and get back-to-back outs, but the damage was done. Dodgers up 5-3.

San Diego got a nice little two-out rally going in the fifth on back-to-back-to-back singles, the last of which recorded an RBI for Seth Smith. Now, only down 5-4, the Pads were now within striking distance. With Gyorko up, a wild pitch would send Almonte to third. Runners now on the corners, Gyorko reached deep into his soul, swung as hard as he could … and promptly struck out to end the inning.

Carl Crawford singled on a line drive to center field to score Matt Kemp in the bottom of the fifth. This brought the Dodgers lead to 6-4.

The Padres couldn’t couldn’t cut the deficit in the sixth or seventh.

With blood in the water, LA wasn’t finished. In the bottom of the seventh, Carl Crawford hit a very important two-run homer off of Alex Torres to put the Dodgers up 8-4.

With two outs in the top of the eighth, Rymer Liriano singled for his only hit of the game. Liriano has found a way to get on base in six of his seven starts so far during his short time in the majors. Yasmani Grandal was called upon to pinch hit and slugged an RBI double to left. This cut the lead to 8-5. Amarista would ground out to end the inning.

The Dodgers failed to score in the bottom of the eighth.

With their backs against the wall, the Friars had to put together some offense. And they did! Venable walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second with one out. Almonte then singled to drive in Venable from second. Almonte advanced to second on a throwing error. Seth Smith flew out to Crawford for the second out. With the pressure on, Gyorko singled on a line drive to Yasiel Puig. Almonte turned the corner at third and was tagged out trying to dive head first back to the bag. The controversial ruling was confirmed (with bad camera angles) upon review.

ICYMI: Padres fall to Dodgers 6-8 in LA

By Devin Sparks | Aug 20, 2014