Padres bats silenced by McClanahan in 6-2 loss to Rays
Credit: AP Photo
San Diego, California
The San Diego Padres fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 in Game 1 of the 3-game series at Petco Park. Yu Darvish allowed six runs in the loss as both Issac Paredes and Randy Arozarena hit home runs. Arozarena finished with four RBIs in the win.
The bats were shut down once again. The Friars failed to score until there were two outs in the 7th inning. After what seemed to be a promising series against the Cleveland Guardians, the Padres almost laid another egg at home.
American League CY Young favorite Shane McClanahan started for the Rays and pitched yet another gem. The southpaw finished the outing going 6.2 innings, allowing just four hits and one run off the solo shot from Nelson Cruz. McClanahan’s ERA lowered to 2.12 on the season, and he’s the clear frontrunner as the top starter in the AL. This is nothing new to the lefty, as he has allowed three runs or less in his last five starts.
Yu Darvish started for the Padres. The Rays smashed eight hits off the right-hander, but the one pitch to Arozarena turned the game upside down. On the first pitch of the at-bat after a Ruben Niebla mound visit, the Mexican National Team hero sent a no-doubter to the left-field seats.
Ran Diego! pic.twitter.com/G3lJwDTy2R
— MLB (@MLB) June 17, 2023
The hearts were crushed on swing as the Rays jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the 5th inning. Remember, Arozarena is familiar with the area as he played ball for the Tijuana Toros in 2016.
That worst part about the 5th inning was Taylor Walls reaching to second base off the error from centerfielder Trent Grisham. The two-time gold glover dropped a routine liner to center, which got the rally started for Tampa Bay.
Xander Bogaerts doubled to left field to bring in Fernando Tatis Jr. in the bottom of the 8th inning to bring them within four. However, it was too little too late. The Friars threatened in the 9th inning as they had bases loaded, but Tatis Jr. grounded into a double play to end the game.
The game of baseball can be a pain in the butt sometimes, and tonight it didn’t go the Padres way. The team had won five of seven games heading into Friday night which means they are on the right track.
Saturday night will showcase Blake Snell, who is coming off one of the best starts of his career. If Snell can silence the Rays, then San Diego will have a shot at bouncing back. Zach Eflin starts for the Rays, who is off to a great start this season.
Game News & Notes
- Tatis Jr. finished 2-4 with a walk and run scored.
- Ha-Seong Kim finished 2-4.
- Manny Machado, Juan Soto, and Gary Sanchez combined to go 0-11.
- Sanchez gunned down two runners caught stealing.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.