SD 3, TEX 4: Padres lose first of three before ASG

After yesterday's break the Padres were hoping to start the final series before the All-Star Break on a high note. To do this, they were going to have to get the upper hand on the Rangers and Wandy Rodriguez. Unfortunately, that was not accomplished and the Friars are now another game back.

Ian Kennedy took the mound today, having a bit of a shaky last three starts, all despite a fairly low earned run average. Today was more shaky than fair. A first, third, and fourth inning of 4 total runs put a cap on the scoring. The first two embodied in sacrifice outs for runs, and the latter two with Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre teeing off home runs. Dale Thayer, Shawn Kelley, an Odrisamer Despaigne all made appearances as the relief crew and did a fine job at putting up 3.2 scoreless innings. Kennedy finished the night giving up 4 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts.

The Padres comeback was headed by Melvin Upton Jr., who kicked things off in the 6th with his second season home run. Jr's solo shot was complimented by his brother, who sent home a run in the 8th on a sacrifice fly. Matt Kemp induced a run with some aggressive baserunning and scored on a wild throw down from second base to third on a steal attempt.

Though if I mathed correctly, 4 beats 3, and the Padres continue the slumpy streak. The day off didn't do much to mix things up, as the Friars suffer yet another 1-run loss. We still have a great shot to steal the series from the Rangers with James Shields facing off against Colby Lewis tomorrow. Let's enter that break on a high note, yeah?

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2	Friar Fever	10
3	RandyLahey	1
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San Diegans were fortunate if they were able to dip out on today's loss and head down to the nerd mecca of Comic Con for some alternative Gaslamp action.