Framing the Friars: Margot Collects Three Hits in Padres’ 2-1 Win
(Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
San Diego, California
Manuel Margot has struggled at the plate, and has found himself hitting at the bottom of the lineup recently.
After serving as the team’s leadoff hitter last season, Margot has been hitting in the eighth spot through most of the current year.
Things were different for the Padres’ center fielder on May 9 though.
Margot went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in San Diego’s 2-1 win over the Washington Nationals at Petco Park. Margot was involved in both of the Padres’ scoring plays. He hit an RBI-double in the fourth inning to tie the game at 1-1. In the eighth inning, he scored on a double hit by Matt Szczur.
The three-hit game was Margot’s first of 2018. Entering the game, Margot was hitting .179/.233/.295.
By the end of the game on May 9, he raised his batting average to .202.
Margot’s first hit came in the second inning. He hit a single off Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez. The Padres loaded the bases in the second inning, but were unable to score.
San Diego found themselves trailing in the fourth when starter Joey Lucchesi gave up a home run to Anthony Rendon. That lead didn’t last long, however. A.J. Ellis hit a one-out double. Margot followed, and hit a line drive to left to score Ellis and tie the game.
Watch @manuelmargot tie this game with a clutch two-bagger! #LetsGoPadres pic.twitter.com/5qylAkDZdr
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 10, 2018
Margot made an attempt to steal third and was picked off, ruining a chance at going ahead.
The Padres took the lead in the seventh inning. Margot led off with a single for his third hit. With Szczur at the plate, Margot made an attempt to steal second. He made it safely, and advanced to third when Washington catcher Matt Wieters‘ throw went into center field.
Szczur hit a deep line drive to left-center that bounced off the wall. Margot was able to score to put San Diego in front 2-1.
We saw our chance to take the lead. We Szcz’ed it. pic.twitter.com/NVE02U4JOJ
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 10, 2018
Margot had one more at-bat in the bottom of the eighth inning. With two outs, he grounded out to first base. Runners were at second and third, and Margot’s groundout meant that the Padres’ chance to add insurance runs was squandered.
Lucchesi pitched five-plus innings, allowing just the one run. He struck out six while allowing six hits and a walk. Lucchesi gave up a single, followed by a walk, to start the sixth inning. He was pulled by manager Andy Green and relieved by Craig Stammen. He had thrown only 69 pitches.
The Padres begin a four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, May 10-13.
The first game of the series is May 10, beginning at 7:10 p.m. 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.