Darvish was defeated by a barrage of three-pointers; San Diego local media highlighted his issues.

San Diego Padres’ Japanese pitcher Darvish started today’s game against the Seattle Mariners, pitching 4 innings and allowing 4 runs before leaving the mound. The team ended up losing 3-4. After the game, local media in San Diego identified the issues Darvish has been experiencing lately.

All of Darvish’s runs today involved Eugenio Suárez. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Suárez first hit a single, then stole second base, followed by a hit from Luke Raley that allowed Suárez to score. Later, in the bottom of the 4th inning, Julio Rodríguez hit a single, Darvish walked Josh Naylor, and then faced Suárez again. Darvish threw a 90.9 mph cutter right down the middle, which Suárez connected with, sending the ball over the left-center field wall for a three-run homer.

After pitching 4 innings and throwing 69 pitches, Darvish was taken out by the coaching staff. By the end of the game, the Padres had used four pitchers. Although they prevented the Mariners from scoring further, the Padres’ offense only managed 3 runs, resulting in a 3-4 loss. Darvish was charged with the loss. He pitched 4 innings, allowed 4 hits and 4 runs, and struck out 3 batters.

Regarding the game, Darvish said his breaking balls had good movement and feel, and he felt his current condition was fairly good. The most disappointing moment was the at-bat when Suárez hit the three-run homer. He said, “I don’t want to keep saying this, but that one pitch cost me... When I’m in good shape, even if I make a mistake, it usually just results in a foul ball for the opponent, but today, that one mistake got punished.”

The San Diego Union-Tribune wrote after the game that Darvish has continued his recent pattern of “one good game followed by one bad game.” Since his strong 7 scoreless innings against the New York Mets on July 30, he has given up 3 runs in 4 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, 1 run in 6 innings against the San Francisco Giants, 4 runs in 4 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, 1 run in 6 innings again versus the Dodgers, and today, 4 runs in 4 innings against the Mariners.