Offense comes to life as Padres complete sweep of Diamondbacks
Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Bob Melvin returned. Mike Clevinger got another start on the mound. Oh, and the San Diego Padres offense exploded on a Wednesday afternoon game at Petco Park. San Diego finished off a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 10-4 victory.
Clevinger threw four innings, giving up just one run on four hits and was followed by just two relievers. Adrian Morejon — who ended up with the victory — tossed 1.1 innings with just one hit and an unearned run. After that, Nick Martinez finished things off with 3.2 innings and a pair of runs — just one earned — and the bullpen got a little bit of rest apart from those two.
However, the story of the afternoon was Jurickson Profar, who got the leadoff nod in Melvin’s first game back. Profar answered the call, too, finishing 4-4 with a pair of RBIs. Surprisingly enough, all four of Profar’s hits were singles.
Let's š£ Go š£ Pro š£
Vote Profar āļø https://t.co/gyd80CVeWT pic.twitter.com/gyO4gijifE
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 22, 2022
Jose Azocar impressed on Wednesday as well, finishing 3-5 and just a home run short of the cycle while also driving in a pair of runs, and he was all smiles after the victory.
“I really like what I’ve been doing…I get my opportunity, I try to do my best every time I get to the field.”
Jorge Alfaro continued his good hitting with a pair of hits, including a home run in the sixth that hit the Western Metal Supply building and increased the lead to 9-2.
Say it with us: Let's go San Diego! š£ #TimeToShine pic.twitter.com/16YPQc4xze
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 22, 2022
It was a seamless victory for San Diego, and it helped that they were able to plate four runs in the first and another two in the second, giving Clevinger all sorts of breathing room.
Things got a bit heated in the seventh inning. Azocar drove in Trent Grisham and Profar came to the plate looking for his fifth hit of the evening. But, Arizona reliever Caleb Smith nailed Profar on a 3-0 pitch right in the hamstring.
With an open base, Caleb Smith just plunked Jurickson Profar with a 3-0 fastball in the thigh. Profar, in frustration (and probably in a lot of pain, too), flung his bat halfway up the first-base line. Nothing further comes of it, and Profar walks gingerly to first base.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) June 22, 2022
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Nonetheless, the Padres bounced back from three losses at Coors Field with three straight victories on their home turf. Next up is a four-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies in San Diego.
Joe Musgrove (8-0, 1.59 ERA) looks to continue his All-Star-worthy campaign against Ranger Suarez (5-4, 4.43 ERA) with the first pitch at 6:40 PST.
Matthew Wadleigh, born in Oceanside and currently lives in Fresno. He lives with his wife and 2 dogs and is a sports enthusiast. Retired drummer and member of the Fresno State Marching Band. He has been a Padres fan since childhood and has suffered during the struggles just like everybody else.
The Profar plunking was obviously intentional… I fully expect some sort of retribution in the near future… the pads of old would simply take it, and look like wimps…but, these are new pads, with established veteran leadership… The Pads have to send a message that they won’t get pushed around… Put this one in the back pocket, and pull it back out when the time is right….