Lamet’s debut cut short, Padres continue tailspin, fall 4-2 to Brewers

Petco Park- San Diego, California

After going down with a forearm injury before the end of last season, Dinelson Lamet was sorely missed by the Padres in the playoffs. Throughout the offseason and spring training, fans were assured that Lamet was going to return sometime soon after the season started and that he was working to be healthy.

Wednesday marked his 2021 season debut, and it came with much anticipation and excitement. He breezed through two innings, topping out at 97 MPH with his signature nasty slider. He struck out four, walking one, and allowed just one hit with no runs.

Then disaster struck.

The collective hearts of Padres fans everywhere dropped into their stomachs as they watched Craig Stammen warming up in the bullpen during the bottom of the second inning.

Their worst fears were realized as Stammen entered into the game to start the third inning, and it was announced that Lamet left the game with gulp- right forearm tightness. Unfortunately, that commonly comes before an announcement of Tommy John surgery, but until that is confirmed, fans can only hold their breath and wait.

“The forearm area began to tighten up after that last inning. He is day-to-day right now. We will wait for more information,” manager Jayce Tingler said after the game.

Update from the clubhouse: Dinelson Lamet left today’s game with right forearm tightness.

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 21, 2021

Stammen has been called upon many times already this season as a bridge to the later innings after the starting pitcher leaves early. This time, he allowed a run on two hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings.

With the bats, the Padres struck first, thanks to an RBI single by Trent Grisham. After the Brewers tied it in the fourth with an RBI single by Jace Peterson, the Padres responded in the bottom half of the inning with another run on Victor Caratini’s fielder’s choice groundout.

The Brewers took the lead in the top of the sixth when Omar Narvaez launched a two-run homer against Keone Kela. Peterson then continued to make his old team pay by hitting another home run in the series, extending Milwaukee’s lead to 4-2.

The Padres tried to strike up a rally late in the bottom of the eighth, down by two. Manny Machado worked a work ahead of an Eric Hosmer single. Jurickson Profar also walked after manager Jayce Tingler was ejected in the middle of his at-bat for arguing balls and strikes. Then Pham struck out, looking with the bases loaded and nobody out. Wil Myers and Caratini both struck out swinging to kill the rally before it even started.

All-star closer Josh Hader came in to close the door for the Brewers. Fernando Tatis Jr. lined a double down the line with two outs. Machado worked another walk to bring the winning run to the plate in Eric Hosmer. Hader got Hosmer to fish outside of the zone for strike three to end the game.

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The Padres suffer the sweep at the hands of the Brewers and have lost seven of their last nine.

They must regroup as they have a tough four-game series against the Dodgers starting Thursday.

Nick Lee

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.