Cashner came through, but the San Diego bullpen didn’t. TV: 12:37 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, Sportsnet (Toronto)PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Luis Perdomo (4-4, 6.93 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (7-11, 4.44) Perdomo turned in his best performance since he was elevated to the starting rotation, working a season-high seven innings and limiting Washington to two runs on four hits.
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Matt Kemp put the Padres in front with a two-run homer off Jesse Chavez (1-2) in the top of the 12th, but San Diego blew the lead. Brett Wallace extended San Diego’s lead to 5-0 in the fifth inning with a solo shot off of Dickey, and then Alex Dickerson added a solo home run of his own off Franklin Morales in the eighth inning.
“I think it’s only human that you question some of the methods or the selection, but at the end of the day if I’ve learned anything through my experience as a baseball player it’s that you kind of have to have blinders on and trust the pedigree”, Dickey said.
Things definitely looked bleak for the Blue Jays before that.
“I’m sure there was a lot swirling in his head with all the talk that’s going on”, Green said. “That’s what he’s going to be doing the rest of the season”. At one point, Travis took a fastball down and in deep down the left field line where it bent ever so slightly past the yellow screen and, of course, foul.
Getting Travis in position to win it was an adventure for the Blue Jays.
And he certainly didn’t help his stock early on, as Bautista drew a walk to lead off the game before Donaldson crushed a 94-mph two-seamer over the wall in centre field for an early two-run lead.
With Edwin Encarnacion batting, a pitch bounced away from catcher Derek Norris, and Travis slid in headfirst just ahead of the tag as his teammates stormed out of the dugout to celebrate.
“I thought the outing was very good”, Gibbons said. “I was praying for in the dirt”.
“It would likely take an injury for him to turn into an everyday outfielder with us”, Atkins said.
“Unbelievable, especially coming from one of the younger guys”, Jays starter Marcus Stroman said. He grounded into a fielder’s choice.
Joaquin Benoit, acquired late last night from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Drew Storen and cash considerations, pitched the final frame, walking two and striking out a pair.
Ichiro Suzuki made his first start in five games Tuesday and went 1 for 5, giving him 2,997 career hits.
Padres: Class-A RHP Chris Paddack, acquired from Miami in last month’s trade for Fernando Rodney, has been sidelined indefinitely with a strained forearm.
Before the game, Gibbons said he plans to start Upton in Wednesday’s series-ending matinee game, allowing Bautista to serve as the designated hitter.
Dickey gave up seven runs – six earned – on four hits, including two homers, four walks and a hit batter as he dropped his third straight decision.
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Adam Rosales hit a two-run homer, one of three San Diego long balls on the day, and the Padres avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 8-4 on Wednesday afternoon. Estrada (back) was on the disabled list from July 3 to July 21.
