ICYMI: Shields remains perfect as Padres fall
Though James Shields' record remained perfect at the end of the night on Tuesday, it unfortunately did not improve. The Padres suffered a tough loss at Turner Field after a rain delay as the Braves put up a five-spot in the sixth to chase Shields out of the game and ultimately rally for a 6-5 victory. Shields had not allowed a run to cross the plate until the sixth inning, when a couple of controversial plays at the plate -- both challenged and both called against the Friars -- paved the way for Atlanta to tie the game. Shields took a no-decision after throwing 5 1/3 innings and surrendering five runs, four earned, with six strikeouts and only one walk. Reliever Joaquin Benoit suffered the loss after surrendering a solo home run in the eighth inning.
Tuesday's silver lining came by way of a torrid Padres offense, as the Friars were able to put up 14 hits. Will Venable blasted a solo shot in the third inning, finishing 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs. Derek Norris, Justin Upton, Yonder Alonso and Cory Spangenberg all enjoyed multihit games as well, with RBI coming off the bats of Norris, Alonso and shortstop Clint Barmes. Melvin Upton Jr. made his first pinch-hit appearance of the season for the Padres in the eighth inning, earning a base on balls and swiping his first base of the year. Despite San Diego's excellent hitting, the team went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 12 runners on base on the day.
In case you missed it, here are some stories and highlights that may have passed you by on Tuesday:
Padres postgame recap: Shields, Padres can't hold lead vs. Braves
Barmes puts the Padres up 1-0 with an RBI doubleVideo: SD@ATL: Barmes hits a line-drive RBI double to left
Venable's solo home runVideo: SD@ATL: Venable rips a line-drive solo shot to right
Alonso continues to tear it up at the plate with an RBI singleVideo: SD@ATL: Alonso singles in a run on a liner to left
Norris launches an RBI double for the fifth Padres runVideo: SD@ATL: Norris lifts an RBI double deep to center
Padres' Draft pick not unfamiliar with the callup to the show: Almost an Astro, Nix ready to join Padres
Hard throwing right-hander pegged for a Friars uniform: Padres draft big righty Megill in 7th round
Down on the farm: Gaedele's grand slam paces Lake Elsinore
Buddy's Bullets: Morrow suffers setback, Myers could be close to rejoining Padres
Game Note Highlights: Game Notes @ ATL (06.09) Shields Vies for Eighth Victory while Hoping to Secure Series Split
Looking forward:
Friar Forecast: Righties Ross, Perez set to square off in Atlanta
Wednesday's probable pitchers: Tyson Ross vs. Williams Perez