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Padres continue dominance of Pirates
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San Diego Padres’ Carlos Quentin, right, is tagged out by Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez, left, as umpire Joe West moves in to make the call during the first inning of Wednesday’s game in San Diego.
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO
The Pittsburgh Pirates have seen enough of the San Diego Padres.
Andrew Werner allowed two runs over six-plus innings in his major league debut and Carlos Quentin drove in three runs, leading the Padres to a 4-2 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday.
The win not only completed San Diego’s three-game sweep but gave the Padres their 18th win in 21 games against Pittsburgh.
“This team has presented us nothing but trouble,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.
“I wish I could make something of it other than you want to stop it. I don’t know the reason why. We don’t take them lightly. They’ve been a pretty bit formidable for us.”
San Diego also put a crimp in the Pirates’ playoff plans as they dropped 81/2 games behind first-place Cincinnati in the NL Central.
While Pittsburgh remains in the wild-card hunt, its play will have to improve.
The Pirates have lost 15 of 24 since July 28, when they were two games behind Cincinnati in the division and led the NL wild card.
NL batting leader Andrew McCutchen said he needs to step it up if the Bucs are to stay in contention.
McCutchen went 1 for 5 as his batting average dropped to .349. McCutchen, who has only two home runs and 11 RBIs since July 18, went 3 for 15 in the series.
“I’m not happy with how I’m swinging the bat right now,” he said.
“I’m a lot better than where I am right now. I’ve still got to keep working hard. I know it’ll change.”
Werner could barely believe he was facing McCutchen.
“If you have told me two years ago, I would be facing Andrew McCutchen in a big league game, I would have told you that you were crazy,” Werner said.
But he struck out McCutchen to end the first inning and handled the rest of the Pirates with ease.
“He was hitting his spots, which makes most pitchers effective,” McCutchen said.
“He kept the ball down. He could get hurt if he leaves stuff up, but he didn’t do that.”
Quentin had three RBIs for the second straight game, including a two-run double in the first inning and an RBI single in the fifth.