Major League Baseball

Cahill starts well but D'backs fall to Padres 3-2

Published Sep. 27, 2013 12:49 a.m. ET

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Arizona's Trevor Cahill was long gone by the time Thursday's game was decided.

The San Diego Padres prevailed 3-2 in 11 innings over the Diamondbacks on Alexi Amarista's RBI single.

Cahill worked 6 2-3 innings, giving way with Tommy Medica on third with two outs in a tie game. Cahill, who had won five straight starts, allowed two runs and five hits before being relieved by Joe Thatcher, the ex-Padre whom the Diamondbacks received in a July trade for Ian Kennedy.

''I didn't throw real great, but I tried my best to get through it,'' Cahill said. ''It was kind of like my season, I guess.''

Cahill came off the disabled list Aug. 17 after landing there with a hip contusion and a 3-10 record.

But since returning, he found his form and that bodes well for Arizona's rotation moving forward.

He didn't factor in Thursday's decision, but with it being his last start of the season, he ends the year on a five-game winning streak. Not since June 30 at Atlanta did Cahill go out a loser.

He is one of two pitchers to have won five or more games since the All-Star break without having a losing decision, joining Yankees closer, Mariano Rivera (also 5-0).

Cahill was upset his command led to four bases on balls.

''I walked too many guys,'' said Cahill, who has a 2.70 ERA since coming off the DL. ''I fell behind too much. I was able to minimize (the damage), but that's not the way I want to be.

''But it's kind of been the story of the whole year.''

Arizona Manager Kirk Gibson said it was more the Diamondback's lack of hitting than the pitching that let the team down.

''We scored seven runs in four games,'' he said. ''We knew we would have a hard time beating these guys here and when you don't have an offense it makes it hard on you.''

The Padres won the season series, 12-7, and were 8-2 at home.

Medica led off the 11th with a swinging bunt down the third-base line for an infield single. Jesus Guzman batted for reliever Nick Vincent (6-3) and hit a ground-rule double that center fielder A.J. Pollock misplayed.

''I feel bad because I'm out there trying to make a play,'' Pollock said. ''It is pretty frustrating, but I don't know what else I could have done.''

Josh Collmenter (5-5) intentionally walked Nick Hundley to load the bases, and Amarista slapped a single through a drawn-in infield.

Padres starter Robbie Erlin allowed two runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out seven in seven innings.

The Diamondbacks tied the score in the fourth inning when Martin Prado hit his 14th homer of season. Paul Goldschmidt led off the inning with a single.

After the homer, Padres pitchers retired 24 straight batters.

NOTES: Goldschmidt singled in the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. ... C Miguel Montero was given the day off as Tuffy Gosewisch got his 10th start of the season. ... Arizona GM Kevin Towers said the fate of his team's coaching staff will be determined soon after Sunday's final game. ... The Padres confirmed they are bringing back their coaching staff next season. ... Mark Kotsay was honored before the team's final home game. Kotsay, a 17-year pro, is retiring after Sunday's game. ... Padres SS Ronny Cedeno missed his third straight game after being beaned by Arizona's Heath Bell on Monday night.