The Padres' hopes for a series win in Milwaukee evaporated Thursday afternoon, as San Diego dropped the rubber match at American Family Field in a game that never quite found its rhythm.
After Wednesday's electric ninth-inning comeback, the Padres came out flat. Right-hander Griffin Canning lasted just 1 2/3 innings, surrendering six runs in a start that unraveled almost as quickly as it began.
Canning struck out Jackson Chourio to open the game, but then his command completely abandoned him. He walked four consecutive Brewers hitters, setting the stage for Luis Rengifo's two-run, bases-loaded single. The damage continued in the second inning, when Brice Turang and former Padres catcher Gary Sanchez each drove in runs, giving Milwaukee all the offense it would need.
"Couldn't find the strike zone. Walked four hitters in a row. Even the other batters, it was a struggle just to get in the zone," said Padres manager Craig Stammen. "The command on any of his offspeed pitches was pretty difficult today. Not his day, but he'll get back and be just fine."
But Canning's struggles weren't the only issue. The Padres' bats went silent against Brewers lefty Kyle Harrison, who held San Diego to five hits over five innings while striking out seven. The Padres had a golden opportunity in the first inning when Manny Machado and Miguel Andujar strung together back-to-back two-out hits, but they couldn't push a run across.
The final numbers tell a frustrating story: the Padres went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, a trend that's becoming all too familiar. Through the first six innings this season, San Diego's offense owns a .282 wOBA and an 80 wRC+ — both dead last in all of baseball.
"It's always tough to get down 6-0 early and then try to fight back," Stammen said. "We've been fighting back all year, and sooner or later, you just can't put yourselves in those types of holes all the time."
For a team looking to build momentum, Thursday's loss was a reminder that early-inning struggles and missed opportunities can erase even the most magical comebacks.