San Diego can’t put it together in disheartening sweep

San Diego's disheartening loss to the Tampa Bay Rays marked a troubling sweep for the Padres, who now find themselves a half game outside of the final Wild Card spot. The team has lost five of their last six games, with the Friars down 3-1 in the ninth inning. Relief pitcher Mason Miller dropped a deep fly ball in left field due to a missed catch by Samad Taylor, who crashed into the wall and failed to secure the game-tying, two-run homer.

The Rays secured the victory in extra innings. The Padres will now face the Cincinnati Reds, hoping to turn the tide before returning to Petco Park on Friday. Starting pitcher Brady Singer, who has been inconsistent this season with a 4.72 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, will take the mound. Veteran right-hander Michael King, who has been a key player for the Padres, will pitch against King.

King has a strong 3.23 ERA and has been dominant in his last seven starts, allowing only 2.95 runs over 42 2/3 innings. However, King has struggled against the Reds' lineup, with many of their players hitting him well. The Padres' lineup was in good form during their series against the Rays, scoring 14 runs in the first half of the road trip.

However, their pitching staff faltered, and they will need to improve if they hope to continue their hot streak. Despite his game-tying error, Taylor went 1-for-1 at the plate and scored a run after being placed on the injured list in early July due to a right oblique strain. The relief corps delivered stellar performances, with Robbie Ray pitching six innings of ball, followed by a perfect inning from Bradgley Rodriguez and another perfect inning from Adrian Morejon.

Miller gave up a single before the second home run of his season, and David Morgan lost the game in the bottom of the 11th inning.