The San Diego Padres secured a 2-1 win over the A’s on Wednesday with a great pitching performance. 

The San Diego Padres are presently enduring several injury issues.

Jackson Merrill was placed on the I.L. before the series with the A’s. Jake Cronenworth and Fernando Tatis Jr. departed the game early on Tuesday night with issues. Shildt said postgame that he is “Optimistic for Friday,” on their two injuries.

Thankfully, both Tatis Jr. and Cronenworth look to be okay and available for the first game of a three-game set with the Rockies this weekend at Petco Park. The Padres may have dodged a bullet early in the season with each man. Merrill is only expected to miss the minimum and should be available when the Padres head back on the road next week.

In the first two games of their series with the A’s, we saw the good and bad of the Padres. The first game saw the team gather an early lead and utilize their bullpen to secure a win. In the second game, the Padres again got out to an early lead, but Dylan Cease was rocked for nine runs (a career high) in four innings. The Padres’ offense was not up for the task, especially minus Tatis and Cronenworth.

Game three saw Randy Vasquez on the rubber for the Padres. The deciding game was tight early on as Vasquez and A’s starter Osvaldo Bido were locked in a 1-1 game through the first four innings.

Manager Mike Shildt inserted a patchwork lineup with three starters out of the game. Oscar Gonzalez was recalled from the Chihuahuas last night to strengthen the offense. The right-handed hitter put up a 1.030 OPS in the PCL and certainly was worthy of a promotion.

Xander Bogaerts led off the top of the 5th inning with his third hit of the day, hitting out of the second spot in the lineup. He was advanced to third on a fly ball by Manny Machado to right field.

“Being able to score runs for the guys, it was 2-1, so it was good,” Bogaerts said postgame. “It was a good game back and forth, man. “

Gavin Sheets stepped up to the plate and drove a pitch to center, driving in the lead run for San Diego, making it 2-1. The Padres did a great job of executing and generating a run.

Bogaerts spoke postgame about taking advantage early in the count.

“If it looks like that, then it’s good, you know,” Bogaerts said. “Find something good to hit early. If it’s there, go for it. If not, then just let it go. Trusting abilities and just try to do the best you can to help the team.”

With two outs, Oscar Gonzalez smoked a ball (111 mph off the bat) past the third baseman for his second hit of the game. With his production peaking, the Padres need to make room for him on the roster once Merrill returns. There is some likelihood that a veteran will be released. Yuli Gurriel seems the obvious choice, though Jason Heyward has also started the season slowly with the bat. The Padres will have a decision to make regarding the roster.

With the score 2-1 Padres, Vasquez was pulled after five innings and 61 pitches. The righty only allowed one hit in the game, but the Padres went into their bullpen to utilize that winning formula. Adrian Morejon began the work for the unit in the 6th inning by throwing a scoreless frame. Jeremiah Estrada was next to hold the lead for the Padres in the 7th inning.

Jason Adam issued a two-out walk in the 8th inning but struck out Brent Rooker to end the inning.

The series victory was on the shoulders of Robert Suarez. The right-handed pitcher came on in the 9th with a 2-1 lead.

A leadoff walk was erased immediately with a double play, and Suarez produced a pop-up to end the game. The Padres take the series and head home.

“Team effort, hard-earned, that is a good win,” manager Mike Shildt said postgame. “Quick turnaround. We’re gunna play regardless of circumstances. The guys got after it today. It was gritty. Vasquez did a great job setting the tone on the mound.”

The Padres are off on Thursday but begin a three-game set on Friday against the Rockies at Petco Park.

Nick Pivetta will start the first game for San Diego. A starter for Colorado has yet to be announced.

The first pitch will be at 6:40 p.m.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the 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.