Shields hits milestone in Padres' win over Diamondbacks

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[September 15, 2015]  PHOENIX -- San Diego right-hander James Shields would rather throw 200 innings than get 200 strikeouts. Once again, he is on track for both.

Shields reached 200 strikeouts for the third time in his career and first baseman Wil Myers homered and drove in four runs in the Padres' 10-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Monday

Shields (12-6) struck out six to reach 200 on the nose while allowing one run and four hits in seven innings.

"It does, but not really," Shields said when asked if the 200-strikeout milestone meant something.

"I'm more of an innings guy. I like the 200 innings every year. I feel like if you go deep in a game and throw a lot of innings, your strikeouts are going to be there. I've never really been a strikeout guy in my career, but it's always nice to get 200."

Shields has 189 1/3 innings with three starts remaining. He is averaging 9.51 strikeouts per nine innings, which would be a career best. He had 225 strikeouts in 2011 and 223 in 2012, both with Tampa Bay.

Shields took a Brandon Drury line drive off the outside of his right forearm in the seventh inning, but picked up the ball and threw to first base for the second out before finishing the inning. He left after 101 pitches.

"It's a testament to who he is," San Diego manager Pat Murphy said. "He wants to stay out there and show everybody he can respond."


 

Shields said tests came back negative and he will not miss any time.

Myers homered to lead off the game and hit a three-run double to cap a five-run fifth inning, one of the Padres' two five-run innings.

Second baseman Cory Spangenberg had two hits and three RBIs for the Padres (68-77), who snapped a four-game losing streak with two five-run innings.

Myers, shortstop Jedd Gyorko and third baseman Yangervis Solarte had two hits. Myers is 14-for-33 with two homers and five RBIs against Arizona in his first season in the NL.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt drove in the Diamondbacks' only run off Shields with a double in the first inning, his 100th RBI. Goldschmidt joined Luis Gonzalez as the only players in franchise history with multiple 100-RBI seasons.

Second baseman Phil Gosselin and third baseman Drury drove in runs in the ninth inning for Arizona (68-76), which has lost three in a row and eight of 11.

"They understand," Arizona manager Chip Hale said. "They are embarrassed by the performance as a team, as a group, but I am sure they will bounce back. We always have so I am not concerned about that."

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The roof at Chase Field leaked during a rainstorm, and about 10 rows of seats in two sections behind home plate were partially cleared in the last of the first inning.

Myers homered on the fifth pitch of the game to open a five-run first inning against right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (9-9), who was making his first start since going on the disabled list with a hamstring injury Aug. 18.

"I feel that I haven't been on the mound my whole life," Hellickson said. "It felt really weird out there. Putting up a five spot before we even get a chance to bat is by far my worse inning of my career."

Gyorko hit a sacrifice fly and Spangenberg drove in a run with an infield single to make it 3-0 i the first. Hellickson's errant pickoff throw as Spangenberg stole second allowed another run to score, and catcher Derek Norris singled in a run to cap the rally.

Spangenberg had a two-run double in the fifth inning and Myers capped the inning with had a two-out, three-run double to make it 10-1.

Arizona removed five starters including Goldschmidt and Pollock in the sixth inning.

NOTES: San Diego Derek Norris was removed with a bruised hand after taking a foul tip off his right hand in the fifth. Initial tests were negative, Norris said, but more are scheduled. ... The Padres added LHP Robbie Erlin, RHP Casey Kelly, RHP Jay Jackson and INF Cody Decker from Triple-A El Paso. 1B Yonder Alonso (lower back strain) was placed on the 60-day disabled list. It is the first major league call-up for Decker, who has made 2,929 minor league plate appearances over seven seasons in the Padres' organization. ... Arizona RHP Chase Anderson is expected to pitch out of the bullpen this week with RHP Jhoulys Chacin going into the rotation, but manager Chip Hale said Anderson would get more starts the rest of the season. ... Padres 1B Wil Myers' leadoff homer was the second of is career. He hit his first against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 25.

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