Yu Darvish went 6 ⅔ innings, allowing just two runs on three hits while striking out seven Milwaukee Brewers, but took the loss following another dismal performance by the San Diego Padres offense.
The Padres had multiple chances with two runners on in the second, third and fifth innings, but the only run they could move across the plate came on a Jurickson Profar RBI fielder’s choice where he just beat out a double play. The team went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.
Jake Cronenworth recorded a base hit in each of his last four games, and has eight hits in the last eight games as he has brought his batting average up from .204 to .211 this season. That stretch includes two doubles and his first home run in 17 games, the second-longest stretch of his career (he went 18 games without one from May 22-June 9 of last season).
Designated hitter Luke Voit recorded a single while striking out in each of his other three at-bats. His base-hit streak extends to six now while boosting his batting average up from .167 to .202. He has not hit any home runs other than his two-homer, three-hit game at home against the Chicago Cubs on May 11.
Darvish recorded his seventh quality start in nine starts so far this season, throwing 108 pitches in back-to-back starts over 6.2 innings Wednesday. His seven strikeouts was one shy of his eight-strikeout game on April 17 against Atlanta.
Robert Suarez relieved Darvish in the seventh and recorded two walks while striking three in the seventh and eighth innings. He dropped his ERA 27 points to 3.66 in his rookie campaign, and averages 11.4 strikeouts-per-9. Right-handed set-up man Luis Garcia pitched his fifth 1-2-3 inning in 17 relief appearances this season, and first since May 4, to keep San Diego within one.
The Padres get a much-needed day off, and hope the offense can break through on the other end of the off-day when they take on the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates (18-25) this weekend. Left-hander Sean Manaea (2-3, 4.04 ERA) is slated to take on Pittsburgh’s Jose Quintana (1-2, 2.43 ERA) under the Friday night lights at Petco Park.