Framing the Friars: Padres Activate Clutch, but Lose to Dodgers
San Diego, California
The San Diego Padres appeared to be anemic on offense in Game 2 of their three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, played at Petco Park on April 17.
That was, until they activated the clutch.
The Dodgers won the game 7-3 to take the three-game series. However, that wasn’t before the Padres forced some late inning magic to take the game into extra innings.
The score was 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning. Kenley Jansen left the bullpen to close out the game for LA. What had looked like another Dodgers win at Petco Park turned into a blown save.
It started with a solo home run by Eric Hosmer, and ended with a strikeout (again) by Austin Hedges, with a clutch RBI-double by Chase Headley in between.
Hosmer hit his first home run as a Padre off Jansen. With the count at 1-0, he hit a 90 mph cutter that went over the wall in center. That cut the score to 3-2.
Watch @TheRealHos305 nearly hit this one to Park at the Park!#HosDigsPetcoPark pic.twitter.com/rzwLklSVBO
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 18, 2018
After a Hunter Renfroe strikeout, Christian Villanueva sent a deep fly to center. It looked like it was headed out, but Chris Taylor jumped and made the lead-saving catch. That was the second out of the inning.
Franchy Cordero drew a two-out walk, and then stole second. He advanced to third on a balk by Jansen with Headley at the plate. Headley forced a full count before turning on a cutter and sending it into right for an RBI-double. Cordero scored and the game was tied.
Bottom of the 9th. 2 out. #Clutch Headley ties it up!#LetsGoPadres #BeatLA pic.twitter.com/WXSVlPcFsP
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 18, 2018
The Padres loaded the bases in the 10th with one out, but Dodgers reliever Ross Stripling got both Renfroe and Villanueva to strike out swinging.
Bryan Mitchell made the start for San Diego, giving up three runs to the Dodgers over six innings.
In his last start, he was abysmal. He pitched only three innings against the San Francisco Giants on April 12. He allowed three runs on four hits in those three innings. The most glaring stat from that line was the five walks he allowed.
When Mitchell took the mound against the Dodgers this time around, things were much different. He pitched six innings, allowing three runs.
The Dodgers got five hits and drew three walks against Mitchell, but other than the first inning, Mitchell didn’t give the Dodgers much to work with.
The first four Dodgers hitters in the game hit the ball hard. Chris Taylor led off the game with a single to center field. The exit velocity was 103 mph. Cory Seager hit a hard line drive with a 111.8 mph exit velocity. Hunter Renfroe made the catch, keeping Taylor at first.
Matt Kemp was the third hitter of the game, and Mitchell’s biggest mistake of the game came during his at-bat. Mitchell threw an 81 mph curveball that was down in the zone, but Kemp wasn’t fooled. He turned on the pitch, and sent it over the wall in center for his second home run in as many days.
Kemp’s home run gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. He gave up another run in the fifth inning.
What was perhaps Mitchell’s best inning, was the fourth. Cody Bellinger led off the inning with a triple. He hit the first pitch from Mitchell, another curveball, and it barely stayed inside the park.
The next hitter was Yasmani Grandal, who hit a grounder to second. Grandal was out at first, and Bellinger stayed at third. After Grandal was Yasiel Puig, who hit a comebacker to Mitchell. Bellinger made a move towards home before stopping and moving back towards third. Mitchell made the throw to first for the second out.
After walking Chase Utley, Mitchell got Kyle Farmer to fly out to right field. After allowing a leadoff triple, Mitchell managed to get out of the inning without giving up a run.
The Padres will attempt to salvage the final game of the series against the Dodgers on April 18. The game will begin at 7:10 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.