Avery Returns to Beat Padres

Even though he didn’t feel at his best, Steve Avery was still too strong for a weakened San Diego Padre lineup.

Avery (3-3) and Scott Williamson combined on a two-hitter as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Padres, 6-2, Sunday for their seventh victory in eight games.

Eddie Taubensee was three for three and drove in three runs. Michael Tucker had three hits and scored three times, and pinch-hitter Dmitri Young delivered a two-run single for Cincinnati.

Avery gave up two runs and two hits in six innings, overcoming a career-high-tying six walks. It was his first start since May 11, when he left a victory against Milwaukee because of a blister on his left middle finger.

“I didn’t feel all that comfortable or strong, but I was able to get through it. And it was a good win for us,” Avery said. “I just tried to keep them off-balance. I tried to throw strikes as well as I could but I was a little erratic.

“It was a tough adjustment getting back out there.”

Reggie Sanders, traded away by the Reds in February, had both hits for San Diego. The Padres lost for the sixth time in eight games.

“We are not playing major league baseball,” said Padre Manager Bruce Bochy, who called an 18-minute closed-door meeting after the game. “This was pathetic. It was embarrassing.”

The Padres, who were without the injured Tony Gwynn and Wally Joyner, were coming off a three-hit showing in a 3-0 loss Saturday to Cincinnati. Then, Cincinnati pitcher Pete Harnisch outdid them at the plate with a two-run homer, his first in 341 career at-bats.

“Anyone with a bat is enough to scare,” Avery said. “Look at Harnisch. I never take anyone for granted, that’s for sure. They aren’t going to be here if they can’t hit. I just try to get through as many innings as I can.”

Williamson struck out six for his fifth save. The two hits were the fewest for San Diego since last Aug. 13.

Matt Clement (0-5) remained winless in eight starts this season. He gave up five runs and five hits in seven innings.

Taubensee was inserted into the lineup when Brian Johnson, slated to start, was sidelined by dizziness.

“I said, ‘Fine, I’m ready.’ I was just put in the lineup a little late,” said Taubensee, who finished nine for 21 on the Reds’ 5-1 road trip. “On this road trip, it seems every facet of our team has been on. Our pitching, our hitters. It’s all something we all thought we were capable of doing.”

Phil Nevin had a sacrifice fly in the Padre third. Sanders, who earlier stopped an 0-for-22 slump, singled and scored on a wild pitch in the sixth.

“I don’t think that (losing) has become accepted,” the Padres’ Dave Magadan said. “But it gets to the point where you feel like you’re going down without a fight.”

NEXT SERIES FOR DODGERS

WHO: Cincinnati Reds

WHERE: at Cincinnati

WHEN: Tuesday, 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 4 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m.