SD 4, CIN 0: Despaigne doubles, but can't limit damage

The Padres were cruising into the today's third game of the series against the Reds feeling pretty high, after staging a huge comeback yesterday riding off a Yonder Alonso grand slam. Andrew Cashner was looking awfully shaky for the second time in the row, but the Friar lineup let Cash know he didn't have to worry. A series win was clinched, and the Pads hoped to collect their second sweep of the season.

But today, a valiant effort from Odrisamer Despaigne was all for naught. After giving up a solo HR to Jay Bruce in the second, Bruce was able to catch up again in the 6th to slam 3 more against the Pads, and 6 innings of 4-hit baseball was soiled by a pair of icky pitches. Johnny Cueto was looking strong as usual, despite a shaky first three innings that were saved by some broken bat outs.

The most fun part of the day was probably a lead off stand-up double from Odie, the first of his career.

After OD's first hit of his career a while back, he gives Kemp a front-row view of his second. Judging by the amount of clothes Despy earned last time, he's looking to have a fully replaced wardrobe within his next 10 plate appearances.

The offense story today was the Pads not being able to drive in RISP, leaving on 6 and going 0-8. Despaigne's double left him stranded, and after two more outs Justin Upton was squeezed for some out-of-the-zone strikes and promptly retired. Upton was K'd on a 3rd strike an inch outside in the 3rd as well, but the plate ump was pretty terrible for both teams.

The good stuff

• Some patient plate appearances
• Another shutout bullpen performance
• A series win on the road
• Did you see Odie's double?

Darklighter was the most talkative, but nobody won the rec game.