PHOENIX -- It’s been a whirlwind few days for Casey Mize. Perhaps that’s the best way to explain his first start with the Padres on Wednesday night in Arizona.
Mize, a last-minute addition before Monday's Trade Deadline on Monday, was out of sorts in his first start for his new team. He was hit hard, allowing eight runs on nine hits across 3 1/3 innings en route the Padres' 10-4 loss to the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
The Diamondbacks were all over Mize, particularly in his second trip through the lineup. He held Arizona scoreless through two, but allowed two runs in the third, then three more in the fourth before he exited with the bases loaded. All three of those runs would come around to score as Arizona jumped out to an 8-0 lead.
The Padres, clearly, envision better days ahead for Mize, who entered Wednesday’s start with a 2.70 ERA and saw that jump to 3.40. They sent two prospects -- including left-hander Kash Mayfield, ranked by MLB Pipeline as their No. 2 prospect -- to Detroit to acquire Mize on Monday.
Mize had his scheduled start on Saturday for Detroit skipped, while the Tigers considered trade offers. He joined the Padres on Tuesday, then was handed the ball on Wednesday.
It was not exactly a soft landing -- against a tough D-backs offense in a tough place to pitch. But the Padres landed Mize thinking they’d solidified a rotation that could get them to October, and this was a crucial outing within the context of that pursuit.
The Padres and Diamondbacks are vying for the final playoff spot in the National League Wild Card, separated by one game entering play Wednesday.
Mize’s next start would likely be lined up for Monday night against the Brewers at Petco Park.