Since Aug. 11, the San Diego Padres are 2-12 with three runs scored and 5.4 runs allowed per game. During that stretch, the Los Angeles Dodgers have gained 10-½ games for second-place in the N.L. West, and the Cincinnati Reds have overtaken them for the second wild card spot after having a 4-½ game lead two weeks ago, now behind by two games.
The Padres got Yu Darvish back, but he gave up four runs in six frames — his worst start of the season versus the Dodgers.
But it probably didn’t matter how well Darvish did as the Padres’ lineup continued their ice cold streak, amounting just three hits all night against Dodgers pitching.
Ace pitcher Max Scherzer struck out 10 Padres hitters over 7-⅔ innings, giving up no runs and two hits allowed. He threw 104 pitches before being taken out for pinch-hitter Eric Hosmer.
Catcher Victor Caratini and center fielder Trent Grisham recorded a double each, and Manny Machado hit an infield single in the ninth inning, but that was all the Padres could muster a night after the offense went 4-for-52 (.077) in a 16-inning loss.
Darvish, coming off the injured list before Thursday’s game, got through two perfect innings before walking known-Padres killer Billy McKinney, and giving up a two-run home run to one of the worst offensive catchers in Austin Barnes.
After retiring Scherzer, Trea Turner and Corey Seager hit back-to-back doubles to score the third run of the third inning. AJ Pollock would lead-off the fourth with a triple and Cody Bellinger hit him in with a fly ball to deep right.
Darvish settled in after that, striking out five of the last nine batters he faced. The 35-year-old right-hander finished the night with five hits allowed and one walk, while retiring six batters via the punchout.
With their Thursday night loss, the Padres are just barely holding onto the season series, leading seven games to six with the final six games being hosted in the hostile home of the L.A. Dodgers at Chavez Ravine.
The Padres (68-61) will travel to Anaheim for a rare two-game weekend series Friday and Saturday with the Los Angeles Angels (63-66).
The most consistent starter in the San Diego rotation, Joe Musgrove, gets the start against the Angels, who have not announced their starter for Friday yet. First pitch at 6:38 p.m. PT.