Eric Stults solid once again as the Padres defeat the Pirates

San Diego, CA- The San Diego Padres offense returned to form last night as they wasted many scoring opportunities and fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1.

The San Diego Padres scored the games first run in the top of the first, on an RBI double by Jedd Gyorko and a sacrifice-fly by Yasmani Grandal to give the San Diego Padres a 2-0 lead.

The Pirates would answer back in the bottom of the first inning, as Josh Harrison got on base to lead off the inning and scored on an RBI single by Russell Martin to cut the Padres lead to 2-1 lead.

That’s as close as the Pirates would get as Eric Stults would hold them to one run and  Alex Torres, Nick Vincent, Kevin Quackenbush would keep the Pirates offense at bay.

Closer Joaquin Benoit would shut down the Pirates in the 9th to seal the win.

Padres starter Eric Stults improved to (5-13) on the season and picked up his first road win, after allowing only one run on seven hits and six strikeouts in six innings of work.

To Stults credit every time his spot in the rotation has been at risk, he has been able to pitch well enough to remain in his spot. After his best start of the season last week, pitching 6.2 shutout innings and today’s start, Sults has now allowed only one run in 12.2 innings of work.

The Padres will look to win the three-game series tomorrow, as all-star pitcher Tyson Ross (10-10, 2.62 ERA) will take the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates.