The circumstances were, uh, just a little bit different five years ago when then-Padres manager Jayce Tingler called on little-known utility player Jake Cronenworth as a pinch-runner in a game against the Diamondbacks.

Trade predictions are flying all over the place with the deadline approaching. One former general manager believes this three-team trade could benefit everyone.

The San Diego Padres dropped their fourth game in a row in a frustrating contest against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. Right-hander Nick Pivetta plucked Ca

The San Diego Padres started their current road trip versus the Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals with a lead over the San Francisco Giants and Cardinals in the Wild Card race. In fact, on July 21 they were 3.5 games up on the Giants, Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds.

The Padres’ only saving grace in their current position is they began the second half in a better spot than they did last year, when they were just one game over .500. These Padres were 52-44 before splitting their first six games after the break, at the Nationals and Marlins, and then dropping the first two games in St. Louis.

Padres Daily: Not the usual loss; Pivetta doesn’t back off; nothing to show (Kevin Acee, SD U-T) In muddy Padres rotation picture, Michael King appears to be on his way back (Kevin Acee, SD U-T) Sloppy Padres drop fourth straight in shutout loss to Cardinals (Kevin Acee, SD U-T)

Offensively, you want a higher on-base percentage from your bottom-of-the-lineup hitters during potential run-scoring at-bats. Preller must find a hitter who can put his bat squarely on the ball and increase the team’s run total.