Friars fall to Brewers in series opener 4-3

Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports.

Friars ace Andrew Cashner did not have his best stuff as the Padres suffered a 4-3 defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers to open a three-game series at Miller Park.

It was all Milwaukee early on with the Brew Crew opening up a three-run lead in the third inning.  The second time through the lineup proved difficult for Cashner as second baseman Scooter Gennett tripled to drive in the starting pitcher Wily Peralta, Ryan Braun hit a deep sac fly that Will Venable made a nice play on, and Aramis Ramirez hit a solo home run to right center to give the Brewers a 3-0 lead.

The Padres fought back in the fourth with Seth Smith and Chase Headley getting on base to start the inning.  Yonder Alonso singled to left center to bat in Smith, and Headley scored later on after a throwing error by Gennett.

In the fifth inning, Carlos Gomez doubled to left past a diving Headley, and scored on a Braun single.

4-2 Brewers through five.

The last chance for the Friars came in the seventh inning.  Chris Denorfia led off with an opposite field homer, and Nick Hundley pinch hit for Rene Rivera and got on base with a double.  The Friars proceeded to load the bases with one out, but failed to get any runners across after a Smith fly out and a Headley strike out.

Key stat of the night: 1-10 with RISP.  The Padres need to heat up at the plate.  Headley and Gyorko are really struggling with the bat, and Venable and Alonso are not quite hitting to their level.  Time to shake off the early season rust as the opponents continue to get tougher.

Wily Peralta got the win for the Brewers (6.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 hits, 6 SO, 1 BB).  Peralta improved to 3-0 on the year.

Cashner received the loss (6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 hits, 4 SO, 2 BB).  He fell to 2-2.

The Brewers hold the best record in the majors at 15-5, and the Padres are 3.5 games back of the Dodgers in the NL West at 9-11.

Box score.

Ian Kennedy faces Yovani Gallardo tomorrow at 5:10 pm PT.