With Cards Stacked Against Them, Padres Lose Series

Jul 9, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Padres manager Bud Black (20) argues a call with the umpires during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 L, 4-3

Game 1 was a roller coaster. The Padres went down 2-0 early when Jhonny Peralta smacked a 2-run home run, his team-leading 16^th of the year. John Lackey held the Padres in check for most of the game, pitching 7 innings, striking out 5 and only allowing 2 runs on 5 hits. Rymer Liriano and Jedd Gyorko drove in runs to tie the game in the 6^th at 2-2. The floodgates opened in the bottom of the 8^th after a questionable call when Tony Cruz appeared to have struck out swinging at a pitch in the dirt. After some protesting on the Cardinals’ side, the play was reversed, it was ruled a foul ball and Cruz got another chance. He then lined a single up the middle and ignited a rally as St. Louis scored 2 runs to make it 4-2 going into the 9^th.

The Padres were not done, as they rallied to get two runners in scoring position. Jake Goebbert then singles and looked as if he may have tied the game. Yasmani Grandal scored with ease but as Alexi Amarista tried to score, A.J. Pierzynski looked to have missed the tag before Amarista touched the plate. A review ensued, Amarista was called out and Bud Black was ejected for arguing. The Padres fell 4-3 on a few calls that could have gone either way. It was a game of bad breaks for San Diego.