BOX SCORE
SAN DIEGOAnother weak performance by the Phillies offense, coupled with poor defense and two-out walks, led to a 6-1 loss to the San Diego Padres on Sunday.
The Phillies have been held to two or fewer runs in 10 of 16 games this season.
The Phils and Padres split the four-game series. The Phils are 3-4 on the 10-game trip.
Starting pitching report
Losing pitcher Joe Blanton allowed seven hits and six runs (three earned) over six innings. Poor defense and two-out walks hurt Blanton. He allowed two-out walks in the third and fifth innings and they led to four runs. Both two-out walks were followed by extra-base hits.
Righthander Anthony Bass (1-2) had a difficult time throwing strikes, but he managed to hold the Phils to one unearned run over six innings. He gave up three hits, five walks and struck out seven.
Bullpen report
Joe Savery pitched two scoreless innings for the Phils.
Joe Thatcher, Luke Gregorson and Ernesto Frieri combined on three scoreless innings for the Padres.
MLB
At the plate
The Phillies had eight hits, but just one for extra bases. They were 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position, struck out 11 times and left 10 on base.
Jimmy Rollins doubled and singled. He had been hitless in his previous 16 at-bats before doubling in the third. Seven games into the roadtrip, Rollins is 3 for 26.
Hunter Pence went 0 for 4 and is hitless in his last 15 at-bats.
Jim Thome got the start at first base. He had a hit in three at-bats, but struck out twice. Thome is 2 for 16 with nine strikeouts on the season.
In the field
Both teams played poor defense. Blanton committed an error on a potential double-play ball in the first inning and Pence misplayed a ball into an RBI double. A Jim Thome error led to a run in the third.
The Padres made three errors, including two on one play in the first inning.
Health check
Catcher Carlos Ruiz returned to the lineup after missing two games with a jammed left wrist. Cliff Lee doesnt think his DL stint will last long (see story).
Up next
The Phils open a three-game series in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. Pitching matchups:
Monday nightRH Kyle Kendrick (0-0, 1.93) vs. LH Wade Miley (1-0, 3.12).
Tuesday nightRH Vance Worley (1-1, 2.37) vs. RH Josh Collmenter (0-1, 10.22).
Wednesday afternoonLH Cole Hamels (2-1, 2.95) vs. RH Trevor Cahill (1-1, 2.84).
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com