Padres lose to Miami 9-3 in series finale

The San Diego Padres’ bats disappeared in the final game of the series, forcing a 2-2 split.

This series ended up being a difficult one for the Padres’ offense. The Marlins’ pitching staff showed up in the finale and pitched as well as you could ask for. Miami did not have a typical starting pitcher in three of the four games but still managed to keep the Padres’ hitters at halt.

Miami utilized a “bullpen day” once again and used at least seven different arms in the win.

In the second inning, Tommy Pham reached on an error but found his way to third base after he noticed first baseman, Jesus Aguilar, talking to a fan. Eric Hosmer started the scoring early as he singled in Pham. Jurickson Profar later doubled, but Hosmer was thrown out at home. The score was 1-0 after two.

Miami tied the game off a solo shot from shortstop Deven Marrero in the third inning. Yu Darvish hung a curveball inside to the right-hander, and he took it the other way to tie the game at one.

Manny Machado demolished a home run to dead center in the top of the fourth, but that was the last run of the game for San Diego.

Make yourself at home, Manny. pic.twitter.com/UN01LkITTf

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 25, 2021

Miami third baseman Brian Anderson would then tie it again with a solo shot to right field, pretty similar to Marrero’s homer in the third inning.

After what seemed to be a solid start from Yu Darvish, Miami got to him and forced the ace out of the game early. He managed to finish 5.0 innings, but not after giving up five hits, four earned runs, and a walk. Darvish would like a mulligan in the fourth and fifth inning as that is where Miami started to run away with it.

“I thought overall he threw the ball well,” Manager Jayce Tingler said. “He struggled with the command a little bit, but overall he competed and certainly gave us a chance.”

The score was 4-2 heading into the sixth inning, but Miami would extend their lead after Padres’ reliever Austin Adams gave up four earned runs as well. Miami jumped out to a 9-2 lead after six innings.

The poor offensive play was the story of the game. San Diego finished with only five hits in the game. That won’t cut it down the stretch if they are competing for a playoff spot.

Yes, the Padres looked sloppy in other parts of the game as well. Fernando Tatis Jr. got caught trying to steal third with two on and only one out. Machado misjudged Marrero’s speed, and it ended up costing the team two runs. Darvish wasn’t at his best.

“We just weren’t clean enough in all areas today,” manager Jayce Tingler said. “We just couldn’t cover up those mistakes. It’s in all areas in this game and you can’t just point at one thing.”

It’s the lack of hitting that causes real concern for me. The Padres are just not hitting the ball well since their franchise-record 24 runs against the Washington Nationals. It was a long and brutal 10-day road trip, though, so we’ll see if the offense improves at home.

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The Padres will head home and get a day off tomorrow. They will then face the Oakland Athletics in a quick 2-game series on Tuesday and Wednesday. The A’s (56-44) will be the toughest team they face in the next three weeks. San Diego falls to (58-44).

Additional News and Notes

• Brian O’Grady slammed a solo shot to right field, pinch-hitting in the ninth inning.
• Worst loss since July 7 when the Nationals defeated the Padres 15-5.
• Austins Adams last three outings: five ER and four walks in combined 1.1 innings.

Chris Spiering

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.