Dickey struggles again, Blue Jays lose 8-4 to Padres
TORONTO (AP) - R.A. Dickey is in a rut, which is bad news for the Blue Jays.
Adam Rosales hit a two-run home run, Alex Dickerson and Brett Wallace each hit solo shots and the San Diego Padres beat Toronto 8-4 on Wednesday, avoiding a three-game sweep.
Dickey (7-12) allowed seven runs, six earned, and four hits in 5 2-3 innings, starting on three days rest after the Blue Jays adjusted their rotation for a weekend series against Baltimore.
The knuckleballer is 0-3 in his past three starts and has allowed six home runs in that span.
"It's been a little bit of a rut," Dickey said." I was going pretty good before the All-Star break and I've run into a little adversity here the last three outings."
Dickey has surrendered 26 home runs this season, tying him with Kansas City's Ian Kennedy and Chris Young for most in the majors.
"Starting the game I felt like I had some of the best stuff I've had all year," Dickey said, "and then I run into a couple innings where it kind of got away from me."
Tampa Bay's Chris Archer (14) is the only pitcher with more losses than Dickey, who is tied with Philadelphia's Jerad Eickhoff and James Shields of the White Sox.
"I actually thought he had a good knuckleball today," manager John Gibbons said. "They got some big hits and a couple homers."
San Diego extended its club-record streak of games with at least one home run to 25. It's the longest run since the 2002 Texas Rangers set a major league record by homering in 27 straight.
"Our lineup has a lot of talent," Dickerson said. "Every single guy is a threat to take you deep."
Padres rookie Luis Perdomo (5-4) allowed four runs and six hits in 5 2-3 innings to win back-to-back starts.
Gibbons was impressed by Perdomo, who came in with a 6.93 ERA.
"Great arm, it didn't look like a six-plus (ERA)," Gibbons said. "He had great life on the ball, nice little breaking ball. I was really impressed."
To Padres manager Andy Green sees it, no one else in the majors has made strides as big as Perdomo has this season.
"That's exciting because he's part of our future," Green said.
Wallace reached base three times. He was hit by a pitch and scored on Rosales' homer in the third, connected off R.A. Dickey in the fifth and hit an RBI single off Joe Biagini in the sixth.
Dickerson homered for the fourth time in four games when he connected off Franklin Morales in the eighth. He is first Padres rookie to homer in four straight games.
"He's amazing," Padres catcher Christian Bethacourt said of Dickerson. "I was telling him he looks like a video game. Every time he's in the batter's box, you think he's going to hit a homer."
Melvin Upton Jr. made his first start for Toronto after being acquired from San Diego on Tuesday. He went 1-for-4 with a single.
Right-hander Joaquin Benoit made his Blue Jays debut with a scoreless ninth. Toronto traded right-hander Drew Storen to Seattle for Benoit on Tuesday night.
RARE K
Toronto's Kevin Pillar struck out swinging to end the eighth, his first strikeout since July 17 at Oakland.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Padres: 3B Yangervis Solarte was placed on the family leave list, meaning he will be out three to seven days. San Diego recalled INF/OF Alexi Amarista and LHP Buddy Baumann from Triple-A El Paso.
Blue Jays: RHP Bo Schultz was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to make room for Benoit.
UP NEXT
Padres: After an off day Thursday, San Diego opens a three-game series at home to Cincinnati on Friday. RHP Edwin Jackson (1-0, 2.92) starts against Reds LHP Brandon Finnegan (5-8, 4.93). Jackson is 403 with a 3.99 ERA in 10 career games against Cincinnati.
Blue Jays: Toronto is off Thursday before opening a three-game series against AL East-leading Baltimore on Friday. RHP Marco Estrada (5-4, 2.94) was pushed back two days to start against the Orioles. Estrada is winless in four starts. RHP Kevin Gausman (2-7, 3.77) starts for Baltimore.