Phillies Put Down Padres Gracefully

The San Diego Padres continued to struggle at the plate Tuesday night as Philadelphia’s Mike Grace won in his first major league appearance since May 1996.

Grace pitched seven strong innings to lead the Phillies over the Padres, 4-2.

San Diego has lost eight of 10 and 17 of 28.

“Right now we’ve got too many guys with cold bats,” Padre Manager Bruce Bochy said. “It seems like too many guys are pressing. Hopefully, we’ll come around sooner rather than later.”

Grace, who gave up two runs and six hits, was on the disabled list for the second half of the 1996 season with shoulder trouble, then strained right triceps during spring training. He had not appeared in the majors since June 2, 1996, and had not won since beating the Dodgers on June 2, 1996.

“Mike Grace was very impressive,” Phillie Manager Terry Francona said. “It’s hard to complain when a guy hasn’t pitched in the big leagues in a long time and only gives up two runs. We were really encouraged by his performance.”

Grace struck out three and walked three, giving up both runs in the first inning when Ken Caminiti hit an RBI single.

Tony Barron drove in two runs for the Phillies, 24-19 since the All-Star break. Caminiti went three for four for the Padres.

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NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

WHO: San Diego Padres

WHERE: at San Diego

WHEN:

Thursday: 2 p.m.

Friday: 7 p.m.