Marlins unable to mount rally against Padres
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- David Phelps was steamed after his latest loss, and he wasn't shy about showing it.
Phelps was decent on Saturday night, but couldn't stop the Marlins from losing 3-1 to the San Diego Padres.
"I'm tired of losing," Phelps said.
Phelps (4-7) gave up two runs over six innings. But both came in the opening two innings, which meant Miami was trying to rally the whole game.
"I'm giving up runs early and putting us in a hole," Phelps said. "We lost our best power bat (Giancarlo Stanton) so we have a team which isn't built to come back. I'm really doing us a disservice early in games giving up runs."
Ian Kennedy, being mentioned in various trade scenarios, pitched six strong innings and he was rewarded with the win.
Kennedy (6-9) allowed a run and five hits. He matched a season high with seven strikeouts and walked one. He also helped himself by hitting a double and scoring.
Kennedy has attracted interest from contending teams heading toward Friday's trading deadline.
Phelps isn't going anywhere and manager Dan Jennings is fine with that.
"Thought Phelps pitched another outstanding game," Jennings said. "He pitched six innings and gave us an opportunity there. I think we have scored three runs in his last four starts and it's been tough for him."
Derek Dietrich opened the seventh with a home run, slicing the Marlins' deficit to 2-1. J.T. Realmuto followed with a triple and that chased Kennedy.
Phelps was gone by then as the Marlins again struggled to support him.
"I didn't have great stuff today but I had command," Phelps said. " I'm just giving up runs early and scratching and clawing to put up zeros the rest of the way, just trying to give us a chance."
Reliever Brandon Maurer came in and stranded the tying run when Adeiny Hechavarria and Cole Gillespie grounded out to third and pinch-hitter Casey McGehee flied out.
"Brandon was huge, not just for me but the whole team," Kennedy said. "To get three outs like that is huge and he's been doing it all year."
Said Jennings: "You got three chances to get the run in and tie it up."
But the Marlins failed.
Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 28th save in 29 chances.
The Padres added a run in the seventh when Melvin Upton Jr. drove in Clint Barmes with a pinch-hit single.
Kennedy had gone through a stretch where he dropped four of five starts before beating the Giants in his previous outing.
Kennedy escaped a jam in the first when the Marlins had runners on the corners by Michael Morse.
In the second, Kennedy doubled and Will Venable hit an RBI single.
Yonder Alonso had a sacrifice fly in the Padres first.
"I'm not pitching well enough to win right now and it is really driving me nuts," Phelps said.
But he's pitching better than what his record reveals, according to Jennings.
"Even when he got into trouble with men on he executed his pitches when he needed to," he said. "That cutter of his is a tremendous pitch for him."
NO SCRATCHES FOR ICHIRO
Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki entered the series with the Padres on Thursday needing two hits to reach 2,900 career hits. Suzuki, who is 38th on the all-time hit list, enters the final game of the set still seeking those two hits. He grounded out in the eighth after entering the game in the previous inning Saturday, falling to 0 for 10 in the series.
OH MY, INDEED
Padres announcer Dick Enberg wasn't in San Diego to call the game, but he had a good excuse. The decorated Enberg, who was hired by the Padres in 2010, was accepting the Ford Frick Award in Cooperstown, N.Y., which is presented annually for excellence in broadcasting by the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
TRAINERS ROOM
Marlins: RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder) will consult with Dr. James Andrews on Tuesday after aggravating his injury in a rehabilitation start. Surgery is a possibility. ... 2B Dee Gordon (thumb) is taking batting practice and could go on a rehab assignment on Tuesday.
Padres: RHP Brandon Morrow (shoulder) was to start for Triple-A El Paso on Saturday. C Tim Federowicz (knee) was to catch Morrow. ... OF Wil Myers (wrist) took 40 swings with a short bat as he continues his rehab.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Mat Latos (4-6, 4.48) seeks his first win against his former team and to even his road record at 3-3. Latos lost his only decision against the Padres last year, although he gave up but one run on a hit in seven innings.
Padres: RHP Odrisamer Despaigne (3-7, 4.98) has lost his last four decisions and seeks his first win since May 31.
