Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
After a 10-5 start, a fifth straight losing record in April is not what Padres fans expected. The Padres dropped seven of their last eight games to finish the season's first month with an 11-12 record.
Overall, San Diego fared better this past April than in recent seasons, but it was not what the fans -- nor the players or the club -- expected.
"We've had a tough week, no doubt about it," said manager Bud Black after the Astros completed a three-game sweep of the Padres on Wednesday afternoon at Petco Park.