FINAL: Padres 5, Giants 1

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres open their three game series against the San Francisco Giants after coming up short on an opportunity to gain ground in the standings on Thursday.

Despite leading for eight innings against the Detroit Tigers, a two out, full count grand slam in the ninth became the fourth blown save of the season for closer Robert Suarez and the Padres 20th blown lead of the season. Suarez, Jason Adam and Tanner Scott all appeared in the contest, marking the fourth straight game that San Diego's highest leverage relievers have been used.

Xander Bogaerts finished 3 of 4 with two RBIs on his eighth home run of the season. The second baseman has scored runs in four of the last six games and has a hit in 31 of his last 42 — his .324 batting average since July 12 is third-highest in the NL (min. 50 at bats).

San Diego enters Friday 5.0 games back of Los Angeles for first place in the NL West after the Dodgers were idle on Thursday. The Padres remain 0.5 games up on the Arizona Diamondbacks for the top NL Wild Card while holding a 3.0 game lead over both the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, who are tied for the final Wild Card spot.

San Francisco is coming off a walk-off win over the Diamondbacks on Thursday, rallying from a 2-0 first inning deficit and getting the third career walk-off hit by Patrick Bailey.

The Giants have been scuffling as of late, dropping four of the six games —all four losses were by two or less — in their most recent home stand and have lost 14 of their last 22 since Aug. 11.

Rookies have played a key part in SF's season, as Tyler Fitzgerald has the second-best batting average amongst MLB rookies since June 28 at .310. The Padres are the only team to have a better OPS from their rookies (.782) than the Giants .759 mark in 169 appearances. Additionally, the 64 starts by San Francisco rookie pitchers is the most in the majors.

Michael King (11-8, 3.17 ERA) will start for San Diego on seven days of rest and will face Giants rookie righty Mason Black (0-2, 7.45 ERA), who had career highs of 5.0 innings pitched and six strikeouts when he took the 4-3 loss at home against Miami on Aug. 31. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. at Petco Park.

Padres Lineup

1. Luis Arraez - DH

2. Fernando Tatis Jr. - RF

3. Jurickson Profar - LF

4. Manny Machado - 3B

5. Jake Cronenworth - 1B

6. Xander Bogaerts - 2B

7. Jackson Merrill - CF

8. Kyle Higashioka - C

9. Mason McCoy - SS

Giants Lineup

1. Mike Yastrzemski - RF

2. Heliot Ramos - LF

3. Michael Conforto - DH

4. Matt Chapman - 3B

5. LaMotte Wade Jr. - 1B

6. Tyler Fitzgerald - SS

7. Patrick Bailey - C

8. Marco Luciano - 2B

9.Grant  McCray - CF