SAN DIEGO – A late comeback fell short for Toronto and the Blue Jays dropped a second straight game to the San Diego Padres, losing 4-3 on Saturday night.
Following a 17-inning game on Friday, the Blue Jays positioned themselves to tie the game in the ninth, trailing 4-2 and halving the deficit on Melky Cabrera's single against fill-in San Diego closer Luke Gregerson.
Gregerson pitched in place of Huston Street, who earlier in the day was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf muscle, Gregerson recovered in time to convert his first save of the season in two opportunities.
Adam Lind had two hits, including a solo home run, against San Diego starter Robbie Erlin, who was making his first major league start. Lind also had a hit taken away on a diving catch by left fielder Carlos Quentin in the sixth.
"We swung the bats really well," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "But we got beat by a couple of infield hits. That's baseball. That happens sometimes."
Toronto starter Mark Buehrle fell victim to two run-scoring hits on infield singles, both by Everth Cabrera. In the second inning, Cabrera reached on a ground ball up the third base line that Buehrle fielded and threw wide past first base.
"My first reaction was to go to third thinking that I couldn't get him at first," Buehrle said. "I think I hesitated a second, looked up and realized (third baseman) Edwin (Encarnacion) was charging. By the time I turned and threw it, I was off balance."
Buehrle (2-4) had not committed an error since 2011 and has only three since 2008. He allowed four runs — three earned — and a season-high 10 hits over six innings while striking out two and walking one.
"You're coming in knowing the bullpen is worn out and you want to go as deep as you can," Buehrle said. "But today was one of those days. I didn't have much. I had to battle through the whole game."
Erlin (1-0) was slated to pitch for Triple-A Tucson before getting recalled on Saturday morning, and got the call because scheduled starter Clayton Richard was forced to pitch two innings in relief in the Padres' 17-inning, 4-3 win that began Friday night and ended early Saturday.
"At midnight last night, I got the call that I was flying here instead," Erlin said. "I was actually on my way to Phoenix because the Tucson Padres were flying out of there, so it was a little change to my schedule."
Erlin, a left-hander, made two appearances in his previous stint with San Diego earlier this season, but started for the first time and allowed two runs over 6 2-3 innings. He gave up eight hits and struck out four while not issuing a walk.
"I'd say it was helpful, because I knew what to expect," Erlin said of making his debut earlier in the season. "Everything was more familiar. I was surprisingly calm. It just came down to executing pitches."
NOTES: Buehrle has not allowed a home run in five straight starts after giving up 11 homers in his first seven games. The loss was Buehrle's first against San Diego in three career starts. . Richard will start Tuesday in Los Angeles. ... RHP Ramon Ortiz (1-2, 5.01) will start on Sunday for Toronto after being recalled prior to Saturday's game when Brandon Morrow was placed on the DL with a forearm strain. ... RHP Edinson Volquez (4-5, 5.20) starts for San Diego on in the series finale on Sunday.
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