Two five-run frames lead Padres over D-backs
PHOENIX -- The Padres scored five runs in the first inning and never looked back as they walloped the D-backs, 10-3, on Monday night in the opening game of a three-game set at Chase Field.
Wil Myers opened the game with a home run as the Padres sent nine men to the plate against Jeremy Hellickson, who was pitching for the first time after a month-long stint on the disabled list.
"Wil's just getting his timing back," said Padres manager Pat Murphy about the first baseman who just returned from wrist surgery. "It's pretty cool to lead off with a homer and then come back and get that big double."
The Padres put the game away in the fifth when they once again sent nine men to the plate and scored five runs. Myers, who finished with four RBIs, capped the inning with a three-run double that put the Padres up, 10-1, and made a winner of James Shields (12-6).
"They're embarrassed by the performance as a team and as a group and I'm sure they'll bounce back," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "We always have."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Video: SD@ARI: Myers hits a solo home run to right-center
A more than Wil-ing start: Myers opened the game with a homer on the the fifth pitch thrown by Hellickson. It was the second leadoff homer for Myers of the season and second of his career. In the fifth, he added a bases-loaded, bases-clearing double. The four RBIs tied a career high, but it was the first time he's done that as a Padre.
Video: SD@ARI: Hale on tough loss, rookie performances
Rough start: The D-backs were hoping that Hellickson would pick up where he left off before his stint on the DL when he allowed just one earned run over 13 1/3 innings, but he barely survived the first and did not come back out for the second.
"He threw a lot of pitches in the first inning," Hale said. "I felt like that was about all he had. Just not a good night for him." More >
Video: SD@ARI: Norris leaves the game due to injury
Norris nicked: Padres catcher Derek Norris took a ball foul tipped by Paul Goldschmidt off his bare right hand and had to leave the game. Replays showed that the ball deflected off the edge of Norris' glove before it clipped his hand. Norris suffered a bruised hand.
"How's my hand? It's been better. We'll see how it feels tomorrow," Norris said after an initial X-ray of the area proved to be negative. "They had a pretty clear view of it and right now it appears to be fine." More >
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
The D-backs came out on top in challenges on back-to-back plays in the fourth inning. First, Padres center fielder Travis Jankowski was called out when he attempted to steal second. Murphy challenged the call, but upon replay review, it was confirmed.
Video: SD@ARI: Lamb fields and fires to first for the out
Shields followed with a grounder to third and initially it was ruled that Jake Lamb's throw to first pulled Goldschmidt off the bag. The D-backs challenged the call and upon review it was determined that Goldschmidt did indeed touch first before Shields, so the call was overturned.
WHAT'S NEXT
Padres: San Diego will play the second game of the three-game series at Chase Field at 6:40 p.m. PT. Tyson Ross (10-10, 3.24) makes his 31st start of the season.
D-backs: Jhoulys Chacin will get the start for the D-backs on Tuesday night in a 6:40 p.m. MST start. This will be Chacin's third start for the D-backs this year after being signed as a Minor League free agent in June.
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