ICYMI: Cashner superb, but Friars drop series finale in desert

Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.

Andrew Cashner set out on Sunday to do what he had promised for his mom: to pitch well enough and precise enough to make his mother smile. Cashner did just that in the series finale against the Diamondbacks on Mother's Day. However, despite a quality start that warranted only two earned runs and six strikeouts through 7 solid innings, the Padres dropped the last of a 4-game set to the D-backs by a score of 2-1 solidifying a series split the Friars had secured the night before.

Although the end result wasn't what the team was looking for (perhaps thanks in part to a strange fourth-inning play that involved an obstruction call with Wil Myers), several Padres saw individual success on Sunday with Justin Upton, Will Venable, and Jedd Gyorko all recording multiple hits on the day. The Padres will have an off day tomorrow giving them a chance to recoup before taking on the Mariners on Tuesday evening. Monday will mark the third off day for the team this season.

In case you missed it, here are some stories and highlights you may not have seen on Sunday:

Padres post-game recap on MLB.com: Snakebit Cashner solid again in Padres' loss

Phantom obstruction call perplexes Padres

Video: SD@ARI: Myers called back after running into Ahmed

Gyorko's RBI double in the sixth

Video: SD@ARI: Gyorko's RBI double puts Padres on the board

Extra rest should be beneficial for O.D.: Despaigne pushed back in Padres' rotation

Kimbrel hopes to start a new streak this week: Kimbrel's saves streak ends at 35

Celebrating Mother's Day the Padres way: Padres to celebrate honorary bat girl

Black says Saturday's win gave Padres a boost

Game Notes @ ARI (05.10) Padres Seek Series Victory in Mother's Day Matinee

Looking forward:

Kennedy prepared for Padres AL West rival: Paxton, Kennedy face off to open Interleague Series