Franmil Reyes Plays Hero, Padres Out-Slug and Sweep Brewers, 8-7
Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego, California
The Padres had sweep on their minds when they took the field against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday afternoon. Matt Strahm took the hill against Zach Davies.
Strahm was greeted rudely by All-Star Ryan Braun, who lifted a home run to right field to give the Brewers an early 1-0 lead in the first inning.
However, the Padres responded quickly. Fernando Tatis Jr. did what great leadoff hitters do, which is get on base in front of the sluggers in the lineup. He walked ahead of Eric Hosmer, who launched a two-run homer to give the Padres a 2-1 lead after one inning.
The fireworks were just getting started.
In a bizarre play that ended up giving Manny Machado a single instead of a home run, the Padres scored one run while Hosmer was thrown out at third. This gave the Padres a 3-1 lead, but it left fans wondering if the confusion would cost the Padres later in the game.
The Brewers responded promptly in the top of the third with a two-run double by Braun, who finished the day 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI. Once again, the Padres quickly responded in the bottom of the third after a Greg Garcia triple and a single by Manuel Margot scored Garcia, giving San Diego the lead back at 5-3.
The Brewers would not go away quietly as neither team let off the gas with the bats. Reigning National League MVP Christian Yelich hit his 27th home run of the season in the fifth inning, cutting the lead to 5-4.
Strahm would be done after five innings, allowing four runs on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Brewers took the lead.@Padres took it right back. pic.twitter.com/AC7Aq2rDKc
— MLB (@MLB) June 19, 2019
After a scoreless inning by Matt Wisler, Brad Wieck came in and struggled, allowing two base runners to reach before being lifted in favor of Gerardo Reyes. Reyes then surrendered a go-ahead, three-run home run to former Padre Yasmani Grandal, giving the Brewers a 7-5 lead in what was at the time a gut-wrenching moment for San Diego.
As was customary in this game, the Padres fought back and responded without hesitation. Machado singled, and Hunter Renfroe walked in front of Franmil Reyes, who had been scuffling at the plate, hitting around .200 since Memorial Day. He launched his 20th home run to center field, giving the Friars an 8-7 lead and sending the home crowd of 28,144 into a frenzy.
The drama did not end with Reyes’ go-ahead home run. The Brewers threatened in the top of the ninth with Craig Stammen trying to lock down the save to spell Kirby Yates a day. Yelich singled, and Braun walked, putting the tying and go-ahead runs on base. Stammen tip-toed out of danger thanks to a good defensive play by catcher Francisco Mejia and then a strikeout of Hernan Perez to seal the victory and the series sweep.
The Padres gained momentum in this sweep of the first place Brewers and will take that on the road to Pittsburgh, where they start a series with the Pirates on Friday.
Native of Escondido, CA. Lived in San Diego area for 20 years. Padres fan since childhood (mid-90s). I have been writing since 2014. I currently live near Seattle, WA and am married to a Seattle sports girl. I wore #19 on my high school baseball team for Tony Gwynn. I am a stats and sports history nerd. I attended BYU on the Idaho campus. I also love Star Wars.
It is great to see Franmil back! A sweep of the Brewers is sweet! I still question if Strahm would be better served in the bullpen (I realize starters are more valuable). Tatis is not just great, but it makes all the difference to have a lead off hitter consistently get on base.
So ……What the _____ was Hosmer thinking!?!?!? He is the worst base-runner I have ever seen at the MLB level. He is clueless. Preller’s Folly is a negative asset. But far worse was his drop at firstbase (which was not mentioned in the article, and could have easily cost the game, in addition to his jogging to third base, getting out, costing at least one run, and killing a rally). That was embarrassing. That should be on every instructional video of what not to do (including his base-running). There is was, celebrating a victory, only to have dropped the ball…and not even realize it! How incredibly embarrassing. What if the bases were loaded? 2 or 3 runs would have scored while he is patting himself on the back. Yikes. What a waste.
And he cost his teammate an rbi and a double. What a doof.
Gerardo Reyes is 4-0 with a 12+ ERA!