Kershaw Silences Padres, Friars Lose 1-0 and Bid Farewell to Petco Park in 2019
Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Petco Park- San Diego, California
For the final time in 2019, the Padres took the field at Petco Park on Thursday afternoon to end the series against the Dodgers and end their 15th season at Petco Park.
Joey Lucchesi made his final start of the 2019 season and was sharp as a tack. He had Padres fans excited once again as he took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Will Smith singled. Lucchesi ended up pitching five shutout innings before allowing one run to score in the sixth on a Max Muncy single, giving the Dodgers a slim 1-0 lead.
Lucchesi finished with six innings, one run, two walks, and six strikeouts.
That run would be enough as the Padres’ bats were silenced by three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw, of course, has had ample success against the Friars, owning a 2.03 ERA in 38 starts entering Thursday. His ERA dips to 1.79 ERA in 15 starts at Petco Park in his career.
.@MudCat55 thanks @DonOrsillo after another great season in the Petco Park booth together!@Padres | #FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/f1GbD17TMZ
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) September 26, 2019
The Padres were unable to capitalize on a one-out double by Josh Naylor in the first inning. San Diego would not have another base runner until Luis Torrens’ leadoff single in the sixth inning, also something the Padres failed to capitalize on.
Kershaw pitched six shutout innings while allowing just two hits, walking one and striking out seven. He gave way to Dustin May who tossed a perfect seventh, and Pedro Baez had a spotless eighth.
The Friars were unable to mount the comeback in their final home game, losing 1-0 and dropping to 70-89 and 36-45 for their final home record. Wil Myers led off with a single, but they were unable to do anything with it as the Dodgers bullpen locked it down.
With the season series now over, the Dodgers come out victorious again, winning 13 of the 19 contests.
The Padres head to Arizona for the final series of 2019.
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.