I pin this loss on the manager's decisions. Petit's excellent start is wasted and the D-backs are officially a losing team now and will be a second-place team by Monday. The Padres are due to come out of the quicksand they're in.
I understand Petit was due up in the 6th, but he was pitching as good as anyone on this team has been. 77 pitches, tired after giving up one run? I would hope not. Why remove a pitcher when he is dominating a game like that? He got scored on in the 6th, so he MUST be done, right, Clarabell? Then I saw Salazar making his way out of the dugout and all went downhill. Slaten came in and was great, then time is called, a meeting at the mound and Rage Against The Machine is playing, which means only one thing, Qualls. Like clockwork, he gives up a run and BoMel has micromanaged himself into trouble again. Pena allowed a homer to the first guy he faced, there is little hope. It was good to see them comeback to tie it, but Lyon has quickly proven that he can no longer be counted on to save games. Things are going so poorly that Chris Young can make a huge catch, then ground out into a game-ending double-play.
Then there's the 'braintrust'. Put Reynolds at 1B for the first time ever in a close game? Melvin's explanation was "an infielder's an infielder". They bunted often and well (with big Fielder at first, I understand that), but why have Jackson bunt with guys on base? It was a good bunt and all, but who are you fooling be having your cleanup hitter, who happens to be the best hitter on the team, BUNT? 12 men left on base?!? Unacceptable.
On the positive side, Augie is Mr. Versatility. O-dog had 4 hits and got into scoring position in the 9th. All the more reason to NOT get him locked up for a few more seasons and trade him this summer, isn't it, Josh Byrnes?
Having guys thrown out at home and third didn't help.
Your possible next manager did a great job coaching third base in those innings.