Mark Prior has no answers for the inconsistency that has plagued him this season. But after Prior endured a rough outing in an 8-6 loss to San Diego, the questions are sure to continue.
Prior allowed six runs on eight hits in three innings, tying a career high with five walks and hitting a batter. He has yet to win back-to-back starts, has yet to win at home and is 3-3 with a 4.89 earned-run average in 12 starts since returning from Achilles tendinitis and elbow problems June 4.
Prior was at a loss when asked about his lack of control. “I don’t know,” he said. “Do you know? I’ve never really had that much [of a] problem in games.”
San Diego catcher Ramon Hernandez homered and drove in four runs as the Padres took the opener of the three-game series, moving to within one game of the Cubs in the National League wild-card race.
Sammy Sosa hit his 564th career home run to pass Reggie Jackson for eighth-place on the all-time home-run list, a solo shot off Padres starter Adam Eaton in the second.
Derrek Lee added two solo homers, and Moises Alou and Nomar Garciaparra also hit solos, but Prior’s wild streak and a defensive lapse by Glendon Rusch made the home run barrage a moot point.
