Framing the Friars: Clutch Renfroe Powers Padres to Win
(AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
San Diego, California
Hunter Renfroe did a little bit of everything in the San Diego Padres’ win over the San Francisco Giants on April 14.
With the bat, Renfroe drove in three RBI, including a go-ahead, two-run home run in the seventh inning. Defensively, he showed off his arm strength, throwing out a base runner at the plate in the top-half of the seventh.
Renfroe got the scoring started in the first inning. With Jose Pirela at third base, he hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Pirela scored to make the score 1-0.
Padres’ starter Clayton Richard got through three innings relatively easily, but ran into trouble in the fourth. He gave up a home run to Evan Longoria, and another to Andrew McCutchen in the fifth. The Giants led 4-2 after four innings.
In the top of the seventh inning, Giants’ second baseman Joe Panik hit a one-out triple to the gap in right-center. The next hitter was McCutchen, who hit a line drive that went straight at Renfroe.
Renfroe made the catch, and Panik made the decision to test his arm. The throw went directly to catcher AJ Ellis, who applied the tag mere nanoseconds before Panik touched the plate. He was called out. The Giants challenged, but the call stood.
In the bottom of the seventh, Renfroe gave his team the lead with his bat. With Freddy Galvis at first base, Renfroe stood at the plate against Giants reliever Cory Gearrin (a right-handed pitcher).
With the count at 1-1, Gearrin threw Renfroe an 89 mph slider that was up in the zone, and over the outer half of the plate. Renfroe swung and sent a missile to the seats in left field.
The hit was a low line drive, a 16-degree launch angle. It had enough behind it to make its way out of the outfield. The home run put San Diego in front 5-4.
Hunter Renfroe (5) off RHP Cory Gearrin (1) – 109.4 mph, 16 degrees (373 ft Home Run)
89.5 mph Sinker#SFGiants @ #Padres (B7) pic.twitter.com/BTqn8fG8f7— MLBBarrelAlert (@MLBBarrelAlert) April 15, 2018
Brad Hand entered the game with two outs in the eight inning. He ended the inning by striking out Hunter Pence. He returned in the ninth to complete the save, and struck out all three hitters he faced. He earned his sixth save of the season.
The Padres go for the series win over the Giants on April 15. Joey Lucchesi takes the mound, looking to build on his last start. He earned his first career victory in a 5-2 Padres win over the Colorado Rockies on April 10.
This will be the first Military Appreciation Day of the season at Petco Park. The Padres will take the field in their custom camouflage jerseys.
The game begins at 1:10 PDT.
Mike is the sports editor for the Fayette Advertiser, and has been with East Village Times since 2015. His work has appeared on Bleacher Report. He is an avid Padres fan who is keeping the faith and trusting the process.
A good game with some clutch hitting – finally – from Renfroe. By the way, the throw from Renfroe did not go “directly” to Ellis, it was cut off by Villanueva. Richard was shaky, but he’s a pro and worked through his struggles. Pirela and Villanueva both are swinging the bat very well right now, hopefully the rest of the offense can catch up to them. Go Pads, let’s take the series tomorrow!