Justin Upton hit a grand slam to go with this six RBIs and James Shield moved to a career-best 6-0 as the San Diego Padres snapped a four-game losing streak and avoided the sweep with an 11-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
Upton hit a grand slam in the first inning and a two-run double with the bases loaded in the second inning as he finished 2-for-4 with a homer, double and a career high six RBIs. The slam was the fourth of his career. His last one was on May 7, 2013 also against the Dodgers. In fact, three of Upton's four career slams have come off of Los Angeles pitching.
"I don't think we cared how we got our runs today," Upton said. "But it was nice to get the bases loaded and get some hits in those situations. I guess I picked the right bat."
Carlos Frias was roughed up in the first two innings as the Padres nearly batted around in each of the first two frames and led 8-0 before the paint on the field had dried.
"I struggled with my command in the first couple innings," Frias said. "It wasn't my best day today."
After a leadoff double by Yangervis Solarte to start the game, Frias walked the next two batters before Upton's blast sailed over the center field wall and the Padres had a 4-0 lead before a single out had been recorded.
Things didn't get much better in the top half of the second as the Padres jumped on LA again thanks to two-run double by Upton and a single by catcher Derek Norris that plated two more.
Things didn't get much better as the Padres tacked on two more runs against the Dominican right-hander as his ERA doubled from 2.55 to 5.34 by the time he left the mound in the fifth inning.
The Dominican right-hander allowed 10 runs on 12 hits in just four short innings of work in what was his worst start of the season and his career. His 10 runs are the most given up by a Dodgers starter since Brad Penny in 2008, and Frias becomes just the sixth pitcher in franchise history to surrender 10 runs in a game.
"Mattingly came to me and said, 'leave those first two innings behind you and turn the page,'" Frias continued. "That gave me tremendous confidence in the next couple innings."
That confidence is crucial for the young pitcher as last season in a spot start in Colorado Frias was yanked in the first inning after allowing eight runs.
James "Big Game" Shields allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings, picking up his team-high sixth victory of the season, matching his career best start, and the second greatest start to a season in San Diego history.
Shields (6-0) has been blessed with run support on days he takes the hill. The Padres have averaged 7.3 runs per game in each of the pitcher's six wins.
"I don't know what it is, to be honest with you. I guess its just luck," Shields said of the run support. "I think this is a good hitting team. Hopefully the pitching staff continues to throw quality starts. If we keep that going, we're going to win a lot of series."
Shields only blemish came on a two-run homer to Dodgers slugger Alex Guerrero. It was the Cuban third baseman's seventh homer of the season as the rookie is batting .381 with nine RBIs with runners in scoring position.
The Dodgers may have awoken a sleeping giant in the underperforming Padres offense. A night earlier, manager Bud Black said that when the team starts hitting, there will be "pitchers and teams that will pay…that's coming at some point."
Little did he know, that point reached its apex hours later as San Diego combined for 11 runs and 20 hits in the destruction of the Dodgers. It was the most runs and hits allowed by Los Angeles, as the eight-run deficit was the largest this season.
"We got on him [Carlos Frias] early. Justin got a hold of one and from there we started clicking," Black said. "When that happens everybody gets that momentum and starts feeling it. Now the trick is to continue it."
A Nice Moment:
The Dodgers recalled catcher Austin Barnes from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday and moved starting catcher Yasmani Grandal to the 7-day concussion list. Barnes made the first start of his career on Sunday and recored his first big league hit off Dale Thayer in the bottom of the eighth inning.
"Getting the first one was great," Barnes said. "Growing up playing the game you dream about getting your first big league hit."
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