Pomeranz can't overcome 5-run second as Padres lose 6-3
PHOENIX (AP) -- A pleasant surprise for the San Diego Padres' starting rotation this season, Drew Pomeranz could not overcome a five-run second inning Sunday.
"I guess I was due for one of those crazy innings," he said after a 6-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Pomeranz (4-5) gave up a season-high six runs, five hits and four walks in five innings with nine strikeouts. His ERA, which had been second to the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw among qualifying pitchers, rose from 1.70 to 2.48.
"They were sitting on some good pitches and picked some good pitches to hit," he said.
Recalled from Triple-A, Archie Bradley (2-0) allowed three runs, four hits and a walk. He struck out nine in 7 1/3 innings, both big league highs for him.
"We're very happy with his start. Something to build on," Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said.
Brandon Drury, batting cleanup for the first time in his big league career, hit into an RBI forceout in the first, the first run Pomeranz allowed in a first inning this season.
"We didn't do him any favors, but he battled third through fifth and gave us five innings," Padres manager Andy Green said after his team lost for the sixth time in seven games. "I thought he was sharp those last three innings, kind of like what you have seen all year."
Christian Bethancourt hit a tying single in the second but Chris Owings' solo homer in the bottom half put Arizona ahead for good. Bradley's bunt single drove in Chris Herrmann and Nick Ahmed beat Alexi Amarista's throw home on Gosselin's bouncer to second. Padres manager Andy Green challenged the call, which was upheld in a video review, and Goldschmidt hit a two-run double for a 6-1 lead.
Alexei Ramirez hit his first home run for the Padres in the fifth.
TOO AGGRESSIVE
San Diego first baseman Wil Myers fielded Bradley's attempted sacrifice in the second inning, and instead of taking the sure out at first base, he threw home to try to get Herrmann. Herrmann was safe and the throw to first was too late to retire Bradley.
"You don't need to make the hero's play at the plate. You just need to get the out when he bunts," Green said. "As the inning developed, it kind of forced us to make more aggressive choices, and that kind of spun out of control."
Myers admitted to being too aggressive on the play.
"As I was running in to the ball, I saw the runner out of my peripheral vision and wanted to make a play at home," he said. "That was one of those things that I should have known early in the game to just take the out."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Padres: San Diego placed Saturday night's starter, Cesar Vargas, on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow soreness. RHP Leonel Campos was recalled from Triple-A El Paso for his third stint in the majors this season, and he pitched in relief Sunday.
UP NEXT
Padres: Andrew Cashner (2-4) will make his second start since coming off the 15-day disabled list when he starts Monday at Seattle.
Diamondbacks: Edwin Escobar will make his Diamondbacks debut Monday against Houston in Phoenix. Escobar was claimed April 29 from Boston and has been pitching at Triple-A Reno, from where he will be called up after the Diamondbacks sent Peter O'Brien down following Sunday's game.
