Padres Lose Again, Downed 11-7

Adam Eaton lasted just 3-1/3IP and the San Diego Padres’ bats did not wake up until the eighth inning, proving to be too little too late in a n 11-7 loss to the Florida Marlins.

The San Diego Padres lost their fifth in a row on Sunday and end a six game road trip with just one win that opened the trip in style down in Atlanta. They tied a franchise record for hits that day with 24 and have sputtered since.

The Padres again let in a run in the first inning. Juan Pierre led off with a bunt single, and Castillo's double put runners on second and third. Pierre scored on an RBI groundout by Mike Lowell. Derrek Lee hit his 23rd homer in the third to put the Marlins up 2-0.

Two more runs in the fourth for Florida chased Eaton from the game. One inning later, Joe Roa allowed four runs off three extra base hits and an error by Ryan Klesko. Two triples in a row off Roa scored three of the runs.

The Marlins added three runs in the eighth on an RBI single by Lee and Mordecai's two-run double off Jaret Wright as Padres relievers again failed in their attempt to limit the damages.

Josh Beckett (6-6). Beckett worked eight innings for the first time in his brief career, allowing only two runs while striking out eight and walking two. Beckett also had two hits for the Marlins.

The Padres rallied for five runs in the ninth off Nate Bump on Gary Bennett's two-run double, Lou Merloni's sacrifice fly and Phil Nevin's two-run single.

Notes:

Eaton has allowed six home runs in his last four starts.

The Padres have lost nine out of their last 12, and their National League-worst record dropped to 47-78.

Brian Buchanan had an X-ray on his sore left wrist and was unavailable to hit in Sunday's game. Buchanan sustained the injury diving for Mike Redmond's double in the eighth inning on Friday night.

Ryan Klesko took a cortisone shot in his problematic right shoulder while the team was in Atlanta last week and will likely have it looked at after the season.

Minor League Report:

The Beavers announced that Ben Risinger broke his wrist on his ill-fated collision at home plate last night and will be out for the rest of the season. Wiki Gonzalez has been activated from the disabled list.

Barring an injury, shortstop Khalil Greene will debut with the Padres in September, if not sooner.

Three Fort Wayne pitchers combined for a shutout on Sunday, David Pauley went seven strong innings on his way to his sixth win, Andrew Corona pitched the eighth and Darwin Soto picked up his fifth save of the year by pitching a scoreless ninth.

Denis Savage can be reached at [e-mail]