Hit hard again in loss Darvish (7-9) lasted just 2.2 innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out three. Impact Darvish pitched two clean innings before the wheels completely came off in the third. He was able to record the first out of the frame before surrendering four runs on four consecutive hits, which was capped off by a two-run homer from Josh VanMeter. The Diamondbacks scored two more in the frame, though one of the runs was unearned. Darvish has posted an ugly 7.57 ERA in nine starts since July 3, raising his ERA from 2.44 to 4.05 over that span. It's unclear if he's still affected by the back injury or if the crackdown on grip enhancers is causing him to struggle, but he certainly hasn't look like himself over the past couple months. The 34-year-old will need to turn things around down the stretch if the Padres stand any chance of earning the second Wild Card spot. His next chance to take the mound is tentatively scheduled for next week against the Angels.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE