Their offense couldn't get the big hit when they needed it, their pitchers still can't get Willson Contreras out, and the San Diego Padres dropped their 4th straight game, 3-0 at the St.Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Pads went 0-9 with runners in scoring position. Their top 5 hitters- Fernando Tatis Jr, Luis Arraez, Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill and Xander Bogaerts- went a combined 8-20. The bottom 4 hitters went 3-16. Contreras went 2-2 and scored 2 runs, and Mason Winn drove in 2 runs for the red birds. Contreras is 4-5 with an HBO in the series so far, scoring 4 runs and driving in 4 more. Pivetta (10-3) lost for the 1st time since May 11th,giving up 3 runs- 2 earned- on just 3 hits while striking out 4 and walking 2 in 6 1/3 innings of work. The benches cleared briefly in the bottom of the 2nd inning, when Pivetta hit Contreras with a pitch to start the inning. Pivetta and Contreras said some things to each other, it escalated quickly and ended just as fast. Winn’s 2-run double in the 4th inning scored Nolan Arenado & Contreras to make it 3-0. Miles Mikolas (6-7) went 7 innings to get the win for the Cards, striking out just 1 hitter but also walking none. The Cardinals now sit just 1.5 games behind the Padres for the 3rd and final wild card spot in the National League playoff race. The Giants are just a half game behind the Pads, and will either be tied with them or a game behind after they finish with the Mets tonight. Wandy Peralta worked 2/3 of an inning, cleaning up for Pivetta in the 7th, and David Morgan pitched a scoreless 8th for the Friars.  ***** ‘LIVE’ Instant Reaction from Jim “GRIES” Grieshaber——- The Pads and Cardinals play game 3 of this 4-game series tomorrow in St. Louis. Randy Vasquez (3-4, 3.73 ERA) will start for the Padres, facing the Cardinals’ Mathew Liberatore. (6-7, 4.13 ERA) 1st pitch is set for 4:15pm PT. We will be here right after the game with your PADRES POSTCAST, hosted by Jim "Gries" Grieshaber- 'LIVE' and FREE on YouTube right after the game, and uploaded wherever you get your audio content and ROKU right after the 'LIVE' show.——- Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Supply House - Join the TradeMaster program today at SupplyHouse.com/TM and start ordering plumbing, HVAC, and electrical supplies with just a few clicks. Plus, use promo code S-H-5 for 5% off your first order. That’s SupplyHouse.com! OpenPhone - Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/lockedonmlb Gameday Hue - Let your colors talk—because colors speak louder than words. Right now, you can get 15% off with code MLB15 at GamedayHue.com. Monarch Money - Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONMLB at monarchmoney.com/lockedonmlb for 50% off your first year. Gametime - Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel - Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS),