Diamondbacks’ loss to Padres ‘rips your heart out’

On a night when they were just three outs away from soaring into first place, the Diamondbacks actually hit rock bottom.

Well, they did in terms of single-game attendance records, at least.

Wednesday night’s game against the Padres at Chase Field drew a crowd of just 12,215 – the smallest ever to witness a regular-season home game in franchise history.

The previous lowest turnout came last year during the team’s 69-win season when Arizona drew 14,110 for a July 5game against San Diego.

But making things doubly worse, the Diamondbacks (14-9) blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning when closer Fernando Rodney was tagged for five runs and the Padres rained on the parade with an 8-5 comeback victory.

BOX SCORE: Padres 8, Diamondbacks 5

The loss ruined Arizona’s chance to move into first place in the National League West – a half-game ahead of the Rockies (14-8), who fell to the Nationals 11-4 in Denver.

“We know that the crowd was small. We get that,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “Unfortunately, that happens. It’s not really an issue for us. But as far as the loss, it hurts. And I know that the group in there right now is feeling that. They feel the impact of it.

“It rips your heart out. The good teams are able to come back from these moments, digest it, spit it out and be ready for tomorrow. We will feel this and I know these guys are going to come out tomorrow and be ready to perform, and that’s going to be the key for me.”

The Diamondbacks felt they did enough offensively to send the Padres to their fifth straight loss and move into position for a four-game sweep on Thursday. They scored five runs off former Diamondbacks pitcher Trevor Cahill, collected 11 hits overall, and received strong efforts from starting pitcher Zack Godley and reliever Archie Bradley.

But Rodney, who entered with a 5-3 lead, allowed consecutive base hits with one out and then left a pitch right over the middle of the plate for Ryan Scrimpf, who blasted a three-run homer deep into the right field stands. Yangervis Solarte added a two-run double before Lovullo could walk out to the mound and remove Rodney, who picked up his first blown save of the season and now has an ERA that stands at 11.00.

“I try to get the out. … I tried my best,” Rodney said. “… They got me.”

Lovullo liked what he saw from Godley and Bradley, but he refused to lay all of the blame on Rodney.

“They’re a free-swinging team, they jump on mistakes and obviously with Schimpf hitting the big three-run home run, that seemed to really take the wind out of our sail,” Lovullo said. “He’s a guy that hit 20 home runs last year and he’s a very capable power hitter. You’ve got to give them some credit.”

Godley, getting the start in place of the injured Shelby Miller, was sent back to Triple-A Reno after the game. The Diamondbacks have a day off looming on Monday and therefore can adjust some things with their rotation while they wait for definitive proof on what’s going to happen next with Miller.

No corresponding roster move was announced by the team, and Lovullo said Bradley, another option to move into the rotation, will remain in the bullpen – at least for now.

“I think that’s where he’s needed,” Lovullo said. “He’s throwing very well out of the bullpen, so you’re going to see him pop out of the bullpen one more time or another time. That’s exactly what the plan is for him.”

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Godley, who allowed two earned runs on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts through five innings, said he was happy overall with his outing. As for being reassigned to the minors, he said that’s out of his control.

“They just want me to continue to work, continue to prove I can continue to get guys out,” he said. “Whatever role they need me to do, I’ll do what I can and try to do it.”

Second baseman Brandon Drury left the game after awkwardly flexing his knee on a close play at first base. Lovullo said he didn’t think it was anything serious and that the medical staff just felt it was safe to get Drury off his feet.

Reach McManaman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Wednesday night between 7-9 on Fox Sports 910-AM on The Freaks with Kenny and Crash.

Thursday’s game

Padres at Diamondbacks

When: 6:40 p.m.

Where: Chase Field (Roof hotline: 602-462-6262)

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (2-1, 4.57) vs. Padres RHP Jered Weaver (0-1, 3.91).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Walker didn’t factor into the decision in his last outing, allowing four runs on seven hits during an 11-5 victory over the Dodgers. In two career starts against the Padres, he is 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA with 13 strikeouts and one walk. Over his last 10 starts in April since April 21, 2015, Walker has gone 5-2 with a 2.44 ERA with 60 strikeouts and 15 walks. … The Padres have lost in each of Weaver’s first four starts this year, although he has only allowed two earned runs in each of his last three. He’s allowed seven home runs in 23 innings thus far. Paul Goldschmidt is 3 for 4 against Weaver in his career with a double and a home run.

Coming up

Friday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (2-0, 3.42) vs. Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-1, 3.32).

Saturday: At Chase Field, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (2-2, 2.93) vs. Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (1-3, 7.11).

Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m. LHP Patrick Corbin (2-3, 3.10) vs. Rockies RHP German Marquez (0-1, 18.00).