D-backs fall short in see-saw battle with Padres

SAN DIEGO — Alex Dickerson cleared the bases with a two-out double in the eighth inning Thursday night, putting the Padres on top for good in a back-and-forth, 9-8 victory over Arizona.

The rookie left fielder played hero after San Diego loaded the bases against D-backs reliever Jake Barrett. Arizona then called upon right-hander Enrique Burgos, who left an 0-2 fastball over the plate, which Dickerson crushed to the opposite field.

D-backs starter Archie Bradley struggled, allowing five runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 — although he didn’t receive much help from his defense, as Jean Segura booted a potential double-play ball in the Padres’ four-run third inning. But Segura would more than make up for that blunder, going 2-for-4 with a double in the first and a game-tying two-run homer in the sixth.

Padres righty Paul Clemens was once again shaky in the early going, only to eventually find a groove with his curveball. He allowed three runs — two in the first — and exited after five with a two-run lead.

Center fielder Travis Jankowski, who ignited the eighth-inning rally with a two-out single, finished with a career-high four hits, as the Padres snapped their five-game skid.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDFour score: The Friars used four hits, a walk and Segura’s error to push four runs across in the third inning — a stark contrast to the hitting woes they endured on their nine-game …

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