K-Rod gives up Kotsay's pinch, 2-run homer
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Francisco Rodriguez's early season struggles continued Tuesday night when he gave up Mark Kotsay's pinch-hit, two-run homer in the eighth inning that gave the San Diego Padres a 2-0 win against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Kotsay, who played with Milwaukee last year, drove a 1-1 pitch from Rodriguez to right field with one out. Will Venable was aboard on a single.
"It's been a frustrating five weeks of the season," said Rodriguez (0-3, 6.57 ERA). "I'm healthy I have to stop making mistakes. I know what I'm capable of doing and I know I can do a lot better than this."
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It was Kotsay's fourth career pinch homer and his first since Aug. 9, 2002, at Cincinnati during his first stint with the Padres. He was signed as a free agent in the offseason for his left-handed bat off the bench and a veteran presence in the clubhouse
Milwaukee's Ryan Braun, who had his first three-homer game and added a triple for six RBIs in Monday night's 8-3 win, went 1 for 4 with a single.
Rodriguez started the eighth and retired pinch-hitter Jesus Guzman before allowing Venable's single and Kotsay's first homer of the season.
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"It's command," manager Ron Roenicke said. "I think his stuff is fine. He makes some great pitches. But when he makes mistakes, they're hitting the ball right now. He's a guy we need out there. Every time we bring him in I feel like he's going to do a great job. He's certainly still a great reliever. I think he's going to be fine."
With three pitchers combining on a three-hitter, the Padres got their first shutout of the season.
Andrew Cashner (2-1) pitched the eighth for the win. Huston Street pitched the ninth for his fourth save in four chances.
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Starters Edinson Volquez of San Diego and Shaun Marcum of Milwaukee each threw three-hit ball for seven innings. Marcum struck out six and walked four while Volquez struck out four and walked two.
NOTES: Padres LHP Cory Luebke will miss his scheduled start Wednesday after experiencing soreness in his left shoulder during his last start. The Padres plan to call up 37-year-old Jeff Suppan from Triple A to start on Wednesday against the Brewers, one of his former teams. The Padres say Luebke will miss at least one start and isn't a candidate for the disabled list. ... Suppan spent the entire 2011 season with Triple-A Omaha in the Royals' organization. In 2010, he was a combined 3-8 with a 5.06 ERA with Milwaukee and St. Louis. ... The Brewers are scheduled to counter with Yovani Gallardo (1-2, 6.08). ... Brewers 1B Mat Gamel left after twisting his right knee when he hit the low wall going after a foul ball. He was hurt trying to catch a foul by Nick Hundley with two outs in the first inning. He stayed in the game for the final out of the inning but was replaced by pinch-hitter Travis Ishikawa in the second. Ishikawa also replaced him at first. ... In the top of the first, Padres 1B Yonder Alonso tumbled over the wall going after a foul ball. He stayed in the game. ... Padres LF Carlos Quentin was 2 for 3 with a three-run homer while serving as the designated hitter in his first rehab start for Triple-A Tucson. He began the season on the disabled list after undergoing knee surgery during spring training.