PHOENIX -- The Padres fell, 6-2, to the D-backs at Chase Field on Saturday as left-hander Clayton Richard lasted just five innings for a fourth consecutive start, further taxing a bullpen that had logged the third-most frames in the Majors entering the day.
The Padres' bullpen had thrown 87 2/3 innings, an average of over four per game. The group will stay near the top after throwing four more.
Richard, who lacked command, allowed three earned runs and finished with 95 pitches over five innings. He hasn't gone longer than that since Opening Day, when he went seven frames.