Padres Drop 2nd Straight, Bats Continue to Whimper

The Padres dropped their second consecutive game to Rockies, 6-2 at Petco Park Saturday night. Jack Cassel allowed 3 runs in just 2.1 innings before Bud Black yanked him in favor of Justin Hampson. Kevin Cameron later allowed run with Justin Germano giving up a pair of the unearned variety in the 9th.

Offensively, the Friars collected just 5 hits against 3 walks. The top 4 spots in the lineup accounted for just one walk. Khalil Greene hit his 24th dinger of the season while Josh Bard added 2 hits. Kevin Kouzmanoff extended his streak of consectuve games reaching base to 16 with a shattered-bat base hit with 2 gone in the ninth. Prior to his hit, Khalil Greene fouled a ball off his inner calf, warranting a visit by the trainer. He stayed in and grounded into a double play. The Padres potentially could have busted the game open, but instead left the bases juiced in the 5th.

The loss puts the Padres 2 1/2 games back in the NL West. With the Phillies winning, the Black's club now enjoys only a 1/2 game lead in the Wild Card. The offense will have to wake up in support of recent stopper Greg Maddux to put the skids on the current two game losing streak on Sunday. Black may need to really consider his placement of switch hitter Milton Bradley in the lineup as Bradley cannot yet swing from the left side of the plate.