Justin Upton hit a grand slam in the first inning and knocked in six runs as the San Diego Padres pounded the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-3 on Sunday to snap their four-game losing streak.
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."
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 a two-run double by Upton and a single by catcher Derek Norris that plated two more.
Upton finished 2-for-4 with a double and a career high six RBIs. Upton's first inning grand 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.
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"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."
Will Middlebrooks led off the third inning with a deep drive to left center that found the bleachers and Frias fate' was sealed.
"He's been hit like this before," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "Today he just couldn't recover."
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.
Rookie Alex Guerrero continued his power surge to start the season as the Cuban third baseman hit a two-run homer to left field in the seventh inning. It was Guerrero's seventh home run this season as he's hitting .381with nine RBIs with runners in scoring position.
Speaking of rookies, 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."
Those would be the only two highlights of the day for the Dodgers as San Diego would cruise to victory. 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."
Game Notes:
50,182 were in attendance at Dodger Stadium for the game.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly challenged a safe call at first base in the ninth inning and lost the review. Los Angeles is now an atrocious 3-for-14 on replay reviews this season.
The Dodgers lead the National League with 11 calls not overturned, and are behind only the Texas Rangers (12) and Tampa Bay Rays (14) for the most in baseball.
