DETROIT -- As injuries continue to chip away at the starting lineup, the San Diego Padres couldn’t climb back from an early deficit in a 6-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Monday at Comerica Park.
Despite the Padres (16-7) notching a run in both the first and second innings, the Tigers (14-9) scored a pair of runs in each of the first three innings and made it stand up the rest of the way to take the first game of the series.
Five of San Diego’s seven hits came from the top of the lineup, which is now without Luis Arraez, who was placed on the seven-day concussion Injured List.
Meanwhile the fifth through ninth batters for the Padres combined to go 2 for 17 with both hits coming from Oscar Gonzalez. Slotted as designated hitter, Gonzalez drove in Manny Machado as part of the two-run fifth, but was caught trying to advance to second on Zach McKistry’s errant throw in from right field.
Tirso Ornelas also had his first major league RBI in the first inning when he beat out a potential inning-ending double play with the bases loaded, and Tyler Wade drew a pair of walks as the only Brown and Gold baserunners from the bottom of the order.
Fernando Tatis Jr. extended his hit streak to a San Diego season-best nine games, as well as had an RBI in his third straight game when he brought home Jose Iglesias on an RBI groundout in the second. San Diego’s other run came off the bat of Gavin Sheets, who started at first in place of Arraez and had a solo home run in the fifth.
The Tigers jumped on starter Randy Vásquez, with three first inning hits highlighted by a McKistry RBI triple. In the second inning a hit by pitch set the table for another two run inning, then two walks to start the third ended his afternoon with two innings pitched, allowing five hits, six (earned) runs with three walks and a strikeout.
Logan Gillaspie served as long relief, allowing both inherited runners to score in the third after a two-out hit by pitch loaded the bases for Gleyber Torres to hit a two RBI single. That was the only damage in Gllaspie’s 2 2/3 innings, as he scattered four hits to go with three strikeouts and two walks.
Wandy Peralta added 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and Yuki Matsui pitched the final two innings.
Detroit starter Keider Montero pitched 4 1/3 innings but got a no decision as he allowed five hits and four runs (three earned), with four walks and three strikeouts. Reliever Brenan Hanifee pitched two innings to earn his first win of the season, while Will Vest earned his second save.
Arraez joined Jackson Merrill, Jake Cronenworth, Jason Heyward and Brandon Lockridge on the IL. Mason McCoy was called up from Triple-A El Paso as part of the roster move.
Game two of the series will see San Diego start Nick Pivetta (3-1, 1.57 ERA) against Jack Flaherty (1-1, 2.53 ERA) for the 3:40 p.m. first pitch.
