The Padres got on the board first with an RBI triple by Chase Headley, scoring Chris Denorfia and putting the team up 1-0 in the top of the first.

Arizona responded in the bottom half of the inning with a three-run home run by Jason Kubel, putting the Diamondbacks up 3-1.

San Diego would chip away at the lead in the top of the third inning when Yonder Alonso singled to right field, plating a run and cutting the lead 3-2. The would tie the score in the top of the fourth inning when Jason Marquis doubled to right field, scoring Everth Cabrera.

The Padres would take the lead in the top of the seventh inning with an RBI single  to center field by Alexi Amarista, scoring a run and taking the lead 4-3.

The D-backs fought back, tying the score at 4 with an RBI single by Willie Bloomquist, scoring Gerardo Parra.

Unfortunately for the home team, the Pads who have been very feisty throughout the series, would fight back and take the lead yet again in the top of the eight with a two run home run by Yasmani Grandal. They would add a couple runs in the top of the ninth inning and would go on to win 8-6.

The story of the series was the inability of either team to hold leads, giving up a combined 36 runs over a three game series. With the loss the Diamondbacks have lost their fifth straight game. They open up a very important three game series against the division leading Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow evening in Phoenix.

Diamondbacks pitcher Joe Saunders throw a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring game at Chase Field. Saunders did not figure in Wednesday's decision despite throwing seven shutout innings against the San Diego Padres. (Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE)

The Diamondbacks wasted a gem of an effort from pitcher Joe Saunders, who was making his regular season debut.  Saunders threw seven innings of shutout baseball, allowing just four hits, walking two and striking out four.  Again the Diamondbacks started strong, scoring the lone run of the game in the first inning after Padre starter Cory Luebke walked in a run after walking the bases loaded.

Willie Bloomquist was the lone bright spot for the team, going two for four with a run scored and a walk.  Bloomquist is hitting a stellar .389 on the season in place of the injured Stephen Drew.  This is overshadowed by the starting slump star Justin Upton in stuck in.  Upton so far this season is hitting an underwhelming .167 to start the season, with a .450 OBP and a .250 slugging percentage.

Some of it has to be due to the injury Upton sustained in the last game of the Giants series, the injury which kept him from starting the first game against the Padres.  One thing is for sure, the Diamondbacks success is directly tied to Upton’s success.  Do not be fooled by the early season success, because if Upton is unable to perform at the level the team is expecting him to, the whole lineup will suffer.

The Diamondbacks will need him to find his stroke, granted they have a little time with the early success of Bloomquist and Chris Young, but Upton will have to get things going to put this team in a position to defend its National League West title.

UP NEXT: The Diamondbacks finish off the series in San Diego by sending ace Ian Kennedy to the mound to face the Padres Anthony Bass to try and win the series.  First pitch is at 10:05 pm EST.