SAN DIEGO (AP) — Michael Lorenzen continued a tough stretch for the Reds of starting rookie pitchers.
He allowed seven runs before exiting in the second inning in the Padres’ 11-6 win on Tuesday night.
Having started rookies in 12 consecutive games, and with five rookies currently in the starting rotation, Cincinnati has lost three straight and six of seven.
Lorenzen (3-8) gave up seven hits in his shortest outing of the season. He struck out one batter and walked two, losing his fourth straight and seventh of his last eight starts.
“That’s baseball,” the right-hander said. “Teammates have been great and come up to me and they want to help they see the struggle I’m going through, the growing pains right now and they want to help and that is all you can ask for.”
San Diego scored three runs in the first and five more in the second as they chased Lorenzen.
Jedd Gyorko singled home two runs in the first and then belted a two-run homer off the second-deck facade in in left field when Dylan Axelrod came in to replace Lorenzen in the second.
San Diego’s Colin Rea (1-0) picked up the win in his major-league debut after allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking one. The 25-year-old had his contract selected from Triple-A El Paso prior to the game, and also collected a hit in his first major-league at-bat and later scored a run.
“It couldn’t have gone more perfect for him tonight,” Padres manager Pat Murphy said. “It’s something he’ll remember for sure.”
Rea allowed the first two batters to reach base but recovered with a double play.
“Obviously, I was a little nervous to start the game, but I settled in pretty good,” Rea said. “We jumped out to an early lead, and I think that was huge. I just tried to put up zeroes afterwards. It was just awesome.”
The Padres added three more runs in the third, giving Rea a comfortable advantage.
Yangervis Solarte had three hits and scored three times.
Joey Votto and Todd Frazier had consecutive doubles in the fourth to break through against Rea. Billy Hamilton also drove in a run for the Reds, who have lost three straight and six of seven.
“Down 11 after three that’s a big hole to dig ourselves out of,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “It was insurmountable and we weren’t able to overcome it. Just not a good night for Micheal. We just couldn’t stop the bleeding and it got away from it.”
Frazier and Jason Bourgeois each hit solo home runs to left field against Frank Garces, who surrendered three runs in the ninth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: RHP Brandon Maurer was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.
UP NEXT:
Reds: RHP Raisel Iglesias (2-4, 4.73) faces San Diego in the series finale on Wednesday. The rookie lost his last start in Arizona despite allowing just one run over six innings. San Diego counters with RHP James Shields (8-4, 3.75).
Padres: RHP James Shields (8-4, 3.75) will help San Diego try for a sweep of the Reds in the series finale on Wednesday. The Reds will counter with rookie RHP Raisel Iglesias (2-4, 4.73).
THIS BUD’S FOR YOU: Padres signed pitcher Bud Norris to a contract after Norris was released by Baltimore on Aug. 8. Norris made his debut for San Diego on Tuesday, pitching one inning in relief and retiring the side in order.
ROOKIE ROTATION: The Reds starting rotation consists of five rookies: Lorenzen, RHP Keyvious Sampson, RHP Raisel Iglesias, RHP Anthony DeSclafani and LHP David Holmberg. Seven rookies have made a combined 58 starts for the Reds this season, the most for Cincinnati since 2001.
