Photo: Getty Images
Padres 6 Reds 2
Quick Cap: After dominating over his first 12 appearances, Fernando Cruz finally had one of those days. Tied 2-2 in the 7th, he allowed the first three Padres to reach and then served up a grand slam to Jake Cronenworth to send the Padres to a series win. The inning started with a bunt hit, a line drive single, and a four pitch walk.
Defense helped the Reds and defense hurt the Reds. Nothing could help the offense with 12 more strikeouts. The Padres take the series. The Reds are 16-15.
They finish the road trip 2-4. Next: Six game homestand starting with the Orioles Friday night.
House of Pain: Since 2012, the Reds are just 25-43 vs the Padres, including 10-25 at Petco Park.
Missed their chance: Tied 2-2 in the 7th...BB Jonathan India, K Nick Martini, BB Santiago Espinal, K Jeimer Candelario...pitching change...K Luke Maile.
Notes:
Offense: 4 H, 2 BB, 12 K. Padres SP Joe Musgrove entered the game with a 6.94 ERA.
Hot and cold: The Reds have scored eight or more runs seven times. They have scored two runs or fewer nine times.
No dice: CES and Stephenson were not in the starting lineup (HBP). Bell told Mark Sheldon (MLB.com) that both should be ready following Thursday's offday. Nor was Jake Fraley, still battling bronchitis.
Graham Ashcraft: 6 IN, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 99 pitches/59 strikes.
He played with fire, allowing eight baserunners in the first four innings. Jurickson Profar's 2-out, 2-run 4th inning single made the Reds pay for a Candelario error and gave the Padres a 2-1 lead. After appearing to motion to David Bell for one more inning as he walked to the dugout after the 5th, he delivered a 1-2-3 6th inning.
Bullpen:
Fernando Cruz 0.1, 4 R...ERA jumped from 1.59 to 4.63.
Jumpman: Stuart Fairchild leaped above the CF wall to take a 3-run homer away from Manny Machado in the 1st inning. That's his 2nd home run robbery effort of the season.
E-3: Candelario dropped a shovel toss from Jonathan India. Two runs would later scored in the inning, both unearned.
That's 15 unearned runs allowed by Reds defense this year. The 19 team errors is tied for 9th most. MLB average is 17.
Long gone: Spencer Steer blasted a 1st inning solo HR...that's an extra base hit in three consecutive games after going 14 games without one (April 13).
He added a SB and is now 8 for 8 this season.
Streaker: Candelario RBI 1B...that's a three game hitting streak, including five hits.
Yikes: Elly doubled to start the 4th, but was cut down trying to advance to 3rd on a grounder to SS right in front of him.
Smoking: Profar delivered a four hit day, driving in two runs, after a three hit night Wednesday.
How they scored:
1st: Steer HR, 1-0 Reds
5th: Candelario RBI 1B, 2-2