CINCINNATI (AP) — Manager Bryan Price grew angry as the Reds let a big lead slip away. He chewed out his relievers as they repeatedly walked batters, setting up Cincinnati’s biggest meltdown of the season.

Yonder Alonso’s second career grand slam pulled the Padres even in the seventh inning, and Matt Kemp singled with the bases loaded in the eighth on Saturday, completing San Diego’s biggest comeback of the season for a 9-7 victory.

The Reds led 6-1 early, but one of the National League’s worst bullpens couldn’t hold on.

“Losses like that don’t happen often, but when they do, they hurt,” said Price, who grew animated on the mound. “It’s hard to keep the defense interested when you’re not throwing strikes.

“I wasn’t sending a message. We’re not playing very well. You’re not supposed to be docile 100 percent of the time when you’re not playing well. I got angry.”

San Diego won its sixth in a row against Cincinnati over the last two seasons, this one with a big day from the middle of the order.

Alonso’s homer off Tony Cingrani tied it 7-7. San Diego loaded the bases in the eighth with Abraham Almonte’s pinch-hit double and a pair of walks by Jumbo Diaz (2-1). Kemp’s single through the hole at shortstop gave him five RBIs overall.

Kemp also had a solo homer and a two-run double off Michael Lorenzen.

Brandon Maurer (2-0) retired the three batters in the seventh. Craig Kimbrel gave up a walk and a single in the ninth before fanning Zack Cozart for his 13th save in 14 chances.

Todd Frazier drove in three runs with a pair of doubles for the Reds, who lost for the 14th time in 19 games.

“It hurts,” Frazier said. “There’s no other way to put it. Sometimes, the pitching’s good and the hitting’s not. Sometimes it’s vice-versa.”

The Reds got their big early lead with the help of several Padres misplays.

Center fielder Will Venable broke in on Joey Votto’s flyball with two outs in the fourth, allowing it to go over his head for an RBI triple. Frazier followed with another fly that Venable broke in on, only to have it go past him for a run-scoring double.

Cincinnati’s bullpen helped the Padres pull it out by walking five batters in the seventh and eighth innings, with three of them scoring. The Reds walked eight batters in all, tying their season high.

ANOTHER SLAM

Alonso’s grand slam was the fourth allowed by the Reds this season. The last time they gave up four in one season was 2013.

PHILLIPS’ STREAK

Brandon Phillips led off the first inning with a single, extending his hitting streak to six games, matching his season high. He’s 12 for 27 during the streak.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Padres: Outfielder Wil Myers headed out to start a rehab assignment. He’s expected to play three games at Triple-A and could be activated off the disabled list if his left wrist is fine. He’s been sidelined since May 11 with tendinitis.

Reds: Right fielder Jay Bruce ran into the outfield wall as he tried to catch Kemp’s homer in the fourth inning. He wasn’t hurt and stayed in the game.

UP NEXT

Padres: Odrisamer Despaigne (3-3) starts on an extra day of rest. He gave up one run in eight innings of a 7-1 victory over the Pirates last Sunday.

Reds: Johnny Cueto (3-4) makes his second start since returning from elbow inflammation. He gave up two runs in six innings of a 5-4 loss at Philadelphia on Tuesday.

———

Follow Joe Kay on Twitter: http://twitter.com/apjoekay