Blue Jays and Dickey drop series finale to Padres

The Toronto Blue Jays dropped their series finale 8-4 to the San Diego Padres in an early afternoon game on Wednesday afternoon at the Rogers Centre.

Starter R.A. Dickey continued to struggle with the home run ball, allowing two on the afternoon to move him to 26 on the season. The knuckleballer allowed seven runs, six earned, on four hits and four walks while striking out five

Adam Rosales broke the Padres through with a two-run shot in the third inning and Brett Wallace chipped in a solo shot in the fifth.

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With both Michael Saunders and Justin Smoak out of the lineup, Kevin Pillar batted fifth and rewarded his manager by going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Ezequiel Carrera and Devon Travis drove in one run each while Josh Donaldson doubled.

Melvin Upton Jr. got his first start as a Blue Jay in Saunders’ place, singling and scoring in a 1-for-4 day.

Joe Biagini took over from Dickey with two outs in the sixth and pitched one and a third of scoreless relief, striking out one.  Franklin Morales followed him out for the eighth inning and surrendered a solo home run to Alex Dickerson, the first batter he faced. It was the third straight game that Dickerson had went deep.

Joaquin Benoit, acquired late last night from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Drew Storen and cash considerations, pitched the final frame, walking two and striking out a pair.

After an off day on Thursday, the Blue Jays welcome the Baltimore Orioles to the Rogers Centre for. Marco Estrada (5-4, 2.94 ERA) is scheduled to pitch in the opener.