Padres split doubleheader in Philly, drop series

PHILADELPHIA (KYMA, KECY) - The San Diego Padres dropped their third series in the last week after falling 5-1 to the Phillies in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park.

After a 6-4 win in Game 1, the Padres couldn't solve Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez, who allowed just one run over seven innings.

That one run came via Jackson Merrill’s RBI single in the fourth inning, but it wasn't enough to keep pace. San Diego starter Dylan Cease (3-8) gave up five runs, including home runs to Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh. Kepler's blast was his first extra-base hit since mid-June.

San Diego has now lost four of their last six games as they continue their East Coast swing. They return home Friday to face the Texas Rangers in what could be a pivotal series before the All-Star break. Randy Vasquez (3-4, 3.84 ERA) gets the nod for San Diego.

The Padres currently sit on the bubble of the National League Wild Card race.