Cronenworth breaks finger, punchless Padres lose to Dodgers 3-0
Credit: Padres
Chavez Ravine- Los Angeles, California
In an important series, the San Diego Padres came out flat in the first game and showed nothing offensively against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Julio Urias held the Padres to three hits and one walk in his seven innings of work. The left-handed pitcher struck out seven batters and was in cruise control the whole night for L.A. Urias threw 94 pitches in the game and lowered his ERA to 2.98 on the season.
The most important note of the night was the injury to the Padres starting shortstop.
Jake Cronenworth left the game after being struck by an 88-mph pitch on his left hand/finger area. The shortstop stayed in the game for a half-inning but could not continue in the game. After the game, manager Jayce Tingler indicated a few things about Cronenworth. “It will be pain tolerance and what he will be able to do,” Tingler said after the game. The thinking is that the infielder might be able to return in a few days. Only time will tell.
For the Padres, Joe Musgrove was effective, but the few runs he allowed were more than enough for the Dodgers to earn the win. The Padres looked lost all night with the bats as they only totaled six hits in the game. The Dodgers only managed four hits on Friday, but they made the most of their chances. San Diego was 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position in the game.
Manny Machado flew out deep to center in the fifth, which was nearly the only hard-hit ball off Julio Urias on the night. The team also threatened in the top of the eighth inning when two men were in scoring position with Wil Myers at the plate. The outfielder struck out with two out to end the potential scoring chance for San Diego.
Kenley Jansen came on for the Dodgers in the ninth inning, and the closer promptly got Jurickson Profar to pop up on a weak bunt attempt. Austin Nola flew out to right for the second out. To add a slight bit of drama, Adam Frazier singled and was balked to second base with two out. Eric Hosmer came up to bat off the bench and ended the game with a groundout. That was it for the Padres. No offense. No punch.
This current 10-game trip which takes the Padres to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and St. Louis, will likely dictate if the team makes the playoffs in 2021. Starting off the 10-game trip with a loss is not ideal, but the Padres can still prevail.
A key for the team to get back on track is offensive production. Fernando Tatis Jr. is currently in a slump, and the offense is feeding off his inability to put together quality at-bats. Things need to changes for the Padres, as they have 20 games left this season to prove their worth. The clock is running out.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.