Balk This Way; Padres Lose to Arizona

The Padres had an opportunity to match their season-best winning streak of two games Saturday, but it was not meant to be, as the Padres lost to Arizona 4-2. The Padres had plenty of chances, but were ultimately done in by 8 walks from their pitching staff, and a questionable call. Joe Thatcher was called for a balk in the 8th inning, when Diamondbacks outfielder Gerardo Parra was dancing off of third. Thatcher looked at him, and the balk was called — scoring what would be the winning run.

The Padres held a brief 2-1 lead after four innings on RBI singles by Cameron Maybin and Yonder Alonso. The lead was short-lived, as Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt socked a solo blast into the left field seats, to even the score at 2. The homer traveled an estimated 425 feet.

Edinson Volquez was erratic, walking five, but only allowing two runs in his six innings of work. Thatcher took the loss for the Padres, dropping his record to 0-1.

Daniel Hudson stifled the Padres for eight innings, although the Padres did him a couple of favors. Everth Cabrera led off the 3rd inning with a booming double to right. Cabrera hesitated briefly rounding second, and tried to stretch his hit into a triple. Parra made a brilliant relay throw, and Cabrera was easily thrown out. In the fourth inning, Yonder Alonso attempted to take third on a fly to right, but again was thrown out by Parra. The Padres had no one out, and they settled for two runs, when they may have been able to do more damage.

Hudson (2-1) got the win for Arizona, and J.J Putz tight-roped out of danger in the ninth, getting Friday’s hero Jesus Guzman to line harmlessy to first. Putz’s save was his 12th on the season.

The Padres will try and win the rubber game Sunday afternoon, sending Eric Stults to the hill.

NOTES: Prized Padres prospect Yasmani Grandal made his major league debut in this game, coming in on a double-switch in the 8th inning. He flied out to deep right in his only at-bat.