Justin Upton Ties Career High With Six Runs Batted in, San Diego Blows Out Dodgers 11-3

Boy when Carlos Frias stinks, he really stinks. Talk about an all or nothing pitcher. He’s either really good, or undeniably horrendous. On Sunday afternoon he was the latter. The youngster gave up ten earned runs on 12 hits across four horrible innings as the Dodgers got blown out by the Padres 11-3 in the series finale. Frias walked two and did not strike out a single batter.

The Padres scored four runs in the top of the first inning, and eight runs in the first two frames. The San Diego offense was highlighted by a grand slam home run from Justin Upton. For San Diego, they staved off a series sweep before leaving town. Although the Dodgers have won seven of nine from San Diego this season, including ten consecutive series.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

If you missed this game, then be thankful that you did. Frias allowed four runs in the first, four in the second and another run in the third, before he was mercifully removed in the fifth inning. His ERA is now 5.34. Hey it almost feels like having a minor league pitcher who can’t get anybody out in your rotation is a bad idea. Who knew?

Padres    11 20 0

Dodgers   3 6 0

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We all remember that game in Colorado last season when he couldn’t retire a single batter. At least in this one he was able to get into the fifth inning. So I guess it wasn’t as bad. Still though, what a disaster this was. On the flip side, what was the offense’s excuse? Better yet, what’s been their excuse for the last week and a half?

I mean we all know Frias isn’t very good. That’s fine. However where did the Dodger’s offense go? San Diego starter James Shields always seems to get a lot of run support. As a matter of fact the Padres average nearly seven runs per start for the Newhall native. Big games James effortlessly shutdown the Dodgers on three runs on five hits over seven frames. He walked just one, and struck out seven. He is now 6-0 this season. I can’t believe we went from Mike Bolsinger’s beautiful gem the night before, to this suckfest. Talk about back to back games of extreme opposites. 

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Justin Upton was the hitting star for the Padres. He hit a grand slam home run in the top of the first, and a two-run double in the second. He tied his career high with six runs batted in. Will Venable went 3 for 4 with three runs scored. Rookie Corey Spangenberg had three hits as well. Will Middlebrooks, Matt Kemp, Upton, and Derek Norris all had two hits each, Middlebrooks homered in the third. The Padres scored eleven runs off 20 hits.

Austin Barnes made his MLB debut for the Dodgers Sunday afternoon-Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

There wasn’t much to cheer for on the Dodger’s side. The offense had just two hits (Strangely both were from Jimmy Rollins, who is now hitting a robust .201) until they scored three runs in the seventh. Rollins, Kendrick, and Juan Uribe had consecutive singles. Andre Ethier’s double play brought home a run. Then Alex Guerrero slugged his seventh home run of the season. On the bright side at least rookie catcher Austin Barnes got his first Major league hit of his career. He’s filling in for the injured (concussed) Yasmani Grandal, who is expected to be back in about a week.

So the Dodgers drop to 26-17, and the lead in the NL West is now just 1.5 games. If the Giants beat Colorado this afternoon, then the lead dwindles to just one. Pray the Rockies beat them. It’s May 24 and the Dodgers are using a triple-A battery. Their number two hitter is batting .201. Not going to win many games like that.

The Atlanta Braves come into town tomorrow for a three game series. Venezuelan rookie Williams Perez, a right hander will match-up against Brett Anderson on Memorial day evening at 5:15 PM in the series opener.

Go Blue.