After the Diamondbacks exploded for four home runs last night, the San Diego Padres slammed three of their own today, as they downed the Diamondbacks 8-2 this afternoon. With the win, the Padres take the series 2-1, and have now beaten the Diamondbacks for the tenth time in 15 games this season. The Padres have been playing well as of late, and are 14-6 in their last 20 games. The Diamondbacks end their ten game road series with a 5-5 record, and have now lost their 25th series of the season.
The Padres scored first when Carlos Quentin led off the second inning with his 21st double down the left field line. Jesus Guzman was walked, and that was followed by another double by Cameron Maybin. Maybins' double scored Quentin, and a sacrifice fly by Andy Parrino scored Guzman later in the inning, giving the Padres an early 2-0 lead.
The Diamondbacks manufactured a run in the top of the third to close within one. Adam Eaton doubled to left, followed by an Aaron Hill walk. The Diamondbacks executed a double steal with Jason Kubel at bat, and when Kubel grounded out to first, Eaton scored.
Padres starter Andrew Werner held the Diamondbacks to just that one run, after pitching 6.1 innings on the day. He gave up four hits, three walks, and struck out six Diamondback hitters, while getting his second win in his fourth major league outing.
Patrick Corbin gave up one more run in the sixth inning, a lead-off homer by Chris Denorfia, before getting replaced by Matt Albers. Corbin lasted 5.1 innings, giving up three runs on six hits, with two walks and three strikeouts.
The game was still within reach until the Padres exploded for five unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. After two walks and an error extended the inning, Chase Headley ripped a grand slam over the right field wall for his 27th home run of the season. The Padres hit back-to-back home runs off reliever Takashi Saito when Carlos Quentin nailed his 16th home run over the left field wall, and the Padres lead grew to 8-1.
The Diamondbacks scored one meaningless run in the ninth inning. After Miguel Montero singled and Chris Johnson walked, Gerardo Parra grounded out to second, scoring Montero from third. The Diamondbacks left 20 runners on base during the game, and are now 20-52 in games where their opponent scores first.
The Diamondbacks have dropped four consecutive games with Patrick Corbin on the mound, and now sit three games under .500. The Diamondbacks sit at 5-5 as they are in the midst of playing 25 consecutive games against National League West rivals. They will have a day off before heading home for an eight game home stand at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks will play two games against the Dodgers, then three against the Giants, and finish with three more games against the Padres.