Tyson Ross Shuts Down the Brewers as Padres Even Series

Aug 21, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Tyson Ross (38) reacts in the dugout in the seventh inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Brewers offense couldn’t get their bats going against the San Diego Padres tonight in the second game of their three-game series in San Diego.

Jimmy Nelson (2-4, 4.15 ERA) came in looking to rebound for the Crew after getting roughed up by the Toronto Blue Jays, breaking a streak of five straight quality starts for Nelson.

Tyson Ross came into the game for the Padres with an 11-12 record, despite having a 2.68 ERA in 27 starts. Coming into the game he had the worst run support in the National League.

The Padres did better than normal in support of Ross, and Ross completely shut down the Brewers bats en route to a 4-1 Padres win to even the series at a game apiece.

Ross cruised through Carlos Gomez, Jonathan Lucroy and Ryan Braun in the first inning, setting them down in order and recording two strike outs.

Nelson gave up a one-out home run (3) to Abraham Almonte in the bottom of the first, and a single to Yasmani Grandal, to give the Padres a 1-0 lead, and the game’s first two base runners. But like Ross, he struck out two batters in the inning.

Khris Davis broke up the no-hitter in the top of the second with a two-out single for Milwaukee, but that was it for the Crew.

Nelson had a better go of it in the second inning, he struck out Rene Rivera and Rymer Liriano to open the inning before Alexi Amarista flew out to end the inning.

Ross set the Brewers down in order in the top of the third, then came out and ripped a lead-off double down the line in right to open the bottom of the third. Two batters later Almonte singled to bring in Ross and give the Padres a 2-0 lead.

Seth Smith reached on an error by Jean Segura. Smith grounded into a routine play to second; Scooter Gennett flipped to Segura and Segura bailed out as Almonte came into second hard, leaving all runners safe.

Yasmani Grandal knocked a single off the wall in right to bring in Almonte and give the Padres a 3-0 lead. Jedd Gyorko hit a slow roller to second to bring in Smith; Gyorko was out at first for the second out. Rivera grounded out to end the inning.

Lucroy doubled to right to open the fourth inning and Liriano bobbled the ball in right allowing Lucroy to get to third on the play. Ross followed with strike outs of Braun and Ramirez. Scooter Gennett pounded a ground-rule double to center field to bring in Lucroy and put the Brewers on the board.

Gennett took third on a wild pitch (later changed to a passed ball) on ball four to Davis, to put runners on the corners for Mark Reynolds. Davis was thrown out at second trying to steal on a ball in the dirt. Davis wasn’t particularly close to being safe at second.

Nelson worked around a two out walk to Ross in the bottom of the fourth for the only Padre action and picked up another two strike outs in the inning.

After a fly out by Reynolds to open the fifth, Segura singled to center to give the Brewers some life. Nelson struck out trying to bunt to bring up Gomez with two outs but Segura was caught stealing to end the inning.

Nelson walked Almonte on four pitches to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning. Nelson struck out Smith for the first out, it was Nelson’s seventh of the game, which is a new career high for Jimmy.

Almonte stole second base, and the throw squirted through Segura’s legs, but Almonte wasn’t able to advance to third. It didn’t matter though as Nelson got Grandal to pop out to short and Gyorko to fly out to center to end the inning.

Ross set the Brewers down in order in the sixth, going through Gomez, Lucroy and Braun.

Macro Estrada came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth for Milwaukee, ending the night for Nelson. Nelson gave up four runs; only two were earned, on five hits and two walks in five innings of work. He struck out seven batters. Estrada quickly set down Rivera, Liriano and Amarista to end the inning.

After a Ramirez ground out, Gennett walked to end the night for Ross. Bud Black called for Nick Vincent to relieve Ross with one out in the seventh. Vincent got Davis to ground into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Ross finished with 6 1/3 innings pitched, allowing one run on four hits and two walks. He struck out six Brewers.

Estrada returned to the hill for the bottom of the seventh. After a Will Venable pinch-hit pop out, Yangervis Solarte singled to center. Almonte struck out and Estrada got Smith to ground out to end the inning.

Kevin Quakenbush came on to pitch the eighth for the Padres. He struck out Reynolds to open the inning. Segura followed with a single to center, bringing up Lyle Overbay, hitting for Estrada. Overbay struck out for the second out of the inning and Gomez struck out for the third.

Tom Gorzelanny came out to pitch the bottom of the eighth for Milwaukee. Estrada went two scoreless, allowing one hit and striking out two. Gorzelanny got Grandal quickly but walked Gyorko to put a man on.

Rivera followed with a single to center to put two on. Liriano flew out to center for the second out of the inning. Amarista walked to load the bases but Venable struck out on a foul tip into the glove of Lucroy.

Joaquin Benoit, the Padres closer, came on to pitch the ninth. He set down Lucroy and Braun on long fly balls. Ramirez popped out to second to end the game.

Jimmy Nelson took the loss for Milwaukee and Ross took the win for the Padres. Benoit earned his ninth save of the season.

The series will wrap up tomorrow night when Yovani Gallardo (8-7, 3.38 ERA) takes on Odrisamer Despaigne (3-5, 3.44 ERA).