Carlos Frias ties LA Dodgers record for earned runs allowed in blowout loss to Padres

LOS ANGELES -- Carlos Frias was hit early and often, sending the Dodgers to an 11-3 loss on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.

If anything, Sunday provided an alternative answer to the question "Remember that really bad Frias start?"

Frias, who allowed eight runs and 10 hits in the first inning while recording only two outs last Sept. 17 at Coors Field, allowed 10 runs on 12 hits in four innings on Sunday. He pitched to two batters in the fifth inning, but didn't record an out.

The 10 earned runs match a Los Angeles Dodgers record for most allowed by a pitcher in one game. It was done five previous times, the last by Brad Penny on May 7, 2008.

San Diego, which saw its final 26 batters retired by Dodgers pitchers on Saturday night, loaded the bases with nobody out in the first inning. Cleanup hitter Justin Upton then cleared the bases with a home run to center field, giving the Padres a quick 4-0 lead.

Upton struck again in the second, again batting with the bases loaded, this time settling for a two-run double, part of another four-run inning that put the game away. Will Middlebrooks added a solo home run in the third inning.

After the second inning, Frias was essentially in "take one for the team" mode, staying in to soak up as many innings as possible to try to avoid overtaxing the bullpen. But after two singles to open the fifth inning, his day was done.

Frias, who had a solid start to his season, brought in a 2.55 ERA and 2.97 FIP into Sunday's game. By the time he left, it was 5.34 and 4.11, respectively.

The Dodgers were having trouble scoring runs in their own right, with six total runs in the previous seven games. They were held in check by James Shields until a seventh-inning rally put three runs on the board.

Notes

The three runs scored by the Dodgers on Sunday were their most since scoring six runs on May 15.

Austin Barnes went 1-for-3 in his major league debut, singling to center in the eighth inning against Dale Thayer for his first major league hit.

The Dodgers challenged an out call at first base in the top of the ninth, but the call was upheld. The Dodgers have had just three calls overturned in 14 replay challenges this season.

Shields improved to 6-0 on the season, and has received 5.90 runs per game of support in his 10 starts, of which the Padres have won seven. San Diego in all other games this season is averaging 3.83 runs scored per game, and is 14-21.

Up next

The Dodgers welcome the Braves to town for three games, beginning Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Left-hander Brett Anderson starts for the Dodgers in the opener, while the Braves counter with Williams Perez.

Sunday particulars

Home runs: Alex Guerrero (7); Justin Upton (12), Will Middlebrooks (5)

WP - James Shields (6-0): 7 IP, 5 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts

LP - Carlos Frias (3-2): 4+ IP, 12 hits, 10 runs, 2 walks