Framing the Friars: Padres’ Bats Feed On Jason Vargas and Mets in 12-2 Victory
San Diego, California
San Diego Padres’ manager Andy Green has tinkered with his starting lineup a few times this season. He’s used an assortment of outfield combinations, and has even moved players around to multiple positions.
The lineup unveiled against the New York Mets on April 28 was perhaps the most productive lineup of the season.
The Padres jumped on Mets starter Jason Vargas from the onset in a 12-2 win at Petco Park.
April has been a frustrating month for the Friars. Early in the season, the offense has been hindered by strikeouts, groundouts, flyouts… basically everything that doesn’t involve getting on base. Entering the game, the team had combined for a batting average of only .219.
Production at the plate wasn’t an issue on April 28. In the first inning, eight hitters went to the plate, with five of them recording a hit.
It started with a single by Eric Hosmer. Christian Villanueva followed in the order, and he battled against Mets’ starter Jason Vargas before sending the ball over the fence in left. The at-bat went for eight pitches.
You can tell @Villa_at_3B is having a blast during his 1️⃣1️⃣-game hit streak!#LetsGoPadres pic.twitter.com/W39P03vVvL
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 29, 2018
Villanueva has hit eight home runs in 99 major league at-bats.
Later in the inning, Manuel Margot hit a deep line drive that was just out of reach from the glove of center fielder Juan Legares. Two runs scored, and Margot slid into third for an RBI-triple. The Padres led 4-0 after one inning.
Franchy Cordero also got in on the home run action. In the fourth inning, he hit a three-run shot, chasing Vargas out of the game. Cordero’s home run measured 459 feet, leaving the stadium at 116.9 mph. Cordero continues to hit the ball with authority.
Stop what you’re doing. Watch @Franchycordero destroy this baseball!
? 116.9 mph
? 24°
? 459 feet! pic.twitter.com/EoccSauuw4— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 29, 2018
The Padres scored 12 runs on 13 hits against the Mets. Hitting is contagious, as baseball people are known to say, and it certainly appeared that way. The hitting even affected Austin Hedges, who entered the game hitting just .141.
Hedges had three hits, two singles, and a double, with five RBI. His RBI-single came in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs and two on, Hedges stepped in the batter’s box. The Mets chose to pitch to Hedges, perhaps because he’s struggling, instead of walking him to pitch to Joey Lucchesi.
Hedges made them regret that decision, hitting a single and scoring both runners. He hit a two-run double in the fourth inning, and hit an RBI-single in the sixth, scoring one.
Villanueva has eight home runs so far this season. He leads all major league rookies in home runs. Second on that list is Cordero, who has six.
Wil Myers started the game in right field, and hit in the leadoff spot. He left in the fifth inning with an oblique strain. The club hasn’t announced anything about when he will return.
San Diego will go for the series win on April 29.
The series finale will begin at 1:10 PDT at Petco Park.
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.
Preller’s Debacle [i.e. Myers] continues to get worse. If he were at 1B he would have some value, and could even be traded (IF the Padres forked over 50% of his salary, like they did we many others), but Preller made Preller’s Debacle even worse with Preller’s Folly [signing Hosmer, when there was no need, when there was no competition, for EIGHT years, which then displaced Renfroe, et al]
Myers is yet to draw a walk …
I am shocked…SHOCKED…that Myers is hurt AGAIN!