Offense sputters in Padres 4-2 loss to Angels
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
The San Diego Padres lost 4-2 at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday as catcher Max Stassi knocked in three runs.
Petco Park- San Diego, California
Two days after clinching their first playoff appearance in over 14 years, the San Diego Padres welcomed the Los Angeles Angels into town on Tuesday for a short two-game series.
Before the game, Angels’ shortstop Andrelton Simmons informed Los Angeles he was opting out for the rest of the year. His decision to leave the team came less than one week before the Angels’ season is to be completed. The four-time Gold-Glove-winning infielder said that “This was the best decision for my family.” The Angels technically are not yet eliminated from the playoff race. Simmons, however, is due for free agency this winter and might have played his last game in an Angels uniform.
Tuesday evening’s game began with a short delay with one out in the top of the first inning as an embankment of lights was not lit up properly at Petco Park. Angels manager Joe Maddon asked for the situation to be resolved, and it took a few minutes to reset the lights at the ballpark.
The delay did not phase Davies, though he did walk Jared Walsh after the pause to put a runner on base. Davies proceeded to strike out Mike Trout, and after surrendering a two-out hit to Anthony Rendon, the right-handed pitcher induced a pop-up from Albert Pujols to end the first inning. Before the game, San Diego general manager A.J. Preller shouted out the pitcher as he mentioned that Davies could garner some NL Cy Young Award votes this season.
Davies went six innings for the Padres, allowing three earned runs and seven hits when it was all said and done. Two homers off the bat of Max Stassi did all the damage for the Angels against Davies. The 29-year-old catcher had a career-night in the majors as Stassi went 4-for-4 with three RBI’s.
“I thought Davies had good stuff,” Padres manager Jayce Tingler said after the game. He did mention that trouble with pitch location comprised Davies’ most significant issues in Tuesday’s game.
In relief of Davies, Austin Adams made his debut for the Padres. The 29-year-old showed a lively fastball and intensity on the mound. As the tall right-hander completed his inning of work, he was heard yelling into his glove. Adams failed to allow a run, but did allow a hit and a walk and appeared to be displeased with his effort.
The Angels’ starting pitcher on the night, Griffin Canning, came into the game with a 1-3 record and a 4.29 ERA in 10 games for the Halos. The right-hander mixed his pitches well, featuring a plus curveball that baffled the Padres’ hitters from time to time. The 24-year-old from Mission Viejo is a homegrown Angel as he was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft out of UCLA.
Canning struck out ten batters on the night in 108 pitches for the Angels. The Padres managed five walks in the game but never could get the elusive timely hit. In the third, San Diego loaded the bases against the pitcher with nobody out. Manny Machado grounded back to the pitcher for a double play, and Eric Hosmer followed with a swinging strikeout. Jayce Tingler praised the Halos’ pitcher after the game, stating that he mixed his pitches well and kept the hitters off-balance.
San Diego managed four hits in the game and went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Not a recipe for success.
Trent Grisham did walk three times in the game and score both Padres runs. He was the lone bright spot in an off day for the Padres’ offense.
San Diego’s 4-2 loss means that Wednesday’s game against the Angels is more critical for a team attempting to secure the No. 4 seed in the NL playoffs. For the second day in a row, the Padres will be in search of a win of their own and a loss by the St. Louis Cardinals to ensure a home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Mike Clevinger will return to the mound for the Padres on Wednesday. Jaime Barria will start for Los Angeles in the game, set to begin at 1:10 pm.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.