The San Diego Padres, despite boasting a star-studded lineup and one of MLB's highest payrolls, continue to struggle in the first half of the season. Their disappointing performance was highlighted by a recent loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, a game marked by a critical error that cost them the win.

The Padres, currently sitting in fourth place in the NL West, held a two-run lead over the Pirates in the seventh inning. With two Pirates on base, Padres pitcher Tim Hill mishandled a ground ball and made a wild throw to first, allowing both runners to score and tie the game.

Had Hill simply fielded the ball cleanly, the damage likely would have been minimal. Instead, his errant throw sailed into foul territory, gifting the Pirates two runs. Later, a timely RBI single by Pirates catcher Henry Davis sealed the Padres' fate, extending their losing streak to five games.

This loss underscores the Padres' struggles this season, despite the high expectations set by their substantial investment in talent. The team now heads to Cincinnati to face the Reds, hoping to turn their fortunes around.