Padres secure playoff spot in extra-inning win
Credit: Padres
Last year the Padres finished dead last in the NL West. Today the Padres defeated the Seattle Mariners to clinch their first playoff berth since 2006.
The game started as a pitcher duel with Dinelson Lamet carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning and Justin Dunn carrying his into the sixth. However, these two pitchers had very different days.
In the six innings of work for Lamet, he struck out ten batters. This marks three straight outings in which Lamet has recorded ten or more strikeouts. This outing earns him a spot in the NL Cy Young conversation. He ranks first in strikeouts (89), third in WHIP (0.87), and fifth in ERA (2.07) among NL pitchers.
The two hits he allowed came in the fifth inning. A double by Tim Lopes scored runner, Evan White.
Justin Dunn managed to work 5 2/3 innings. In that time, he gave up two hits, four walks, three stolen bases, and three runs. In the sixth inning, Dunn initially had a bit of luck. Eric Hosmer walked, then Mitch Moreland lined a double that turned into a ground-rule double. Had it not gone over the wall, Hosmer had a good chance of scoring.
The red-hot Wil Myers decided that Dunn got too lucky. Myers launched a three-run homer to center field to give the Padres a 3-1 lead.
WIL MYERS DOESN'T MISS! 💥💥💥@Padres take the lead!#FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/hrM8t0xg51
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) September 20, 2020
In the last 14 days, Myers has a .326/.370/1.090 slash line. On Sunday, he had two walks and a stolen base to go along with his home run. He continues to show that he is a different player from the one that struck out 168 times last year.
That lead lasted until the eighth inning. Dylan Moore, who had been hitless all series, launched a two-run homer off Emilio Pagan to tie up the game.
The game stayed still until the tenth. Jorge Mateo pinch ran for Jason Castro, who would have been the runner that starts at second for extra innings. Jurickson Profar advanced him to third base, and two batters later, Fernando Tatis Jr. knocked him in.
That's our Niño! @tatis_jr comes through and puts the @Padres back out in front!#FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/0llXmptxA7
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) September 20, 2020
The Mariners responded in the bottom of the tenth. For this series, they are the home team due to the air quality in Seattle, restricting them from playing. They scored their run in simple unselfish play. Two sacrifice flies were able to able to score the runner from second.
Onto the eleventh were the Padres were ready to secure their playoff spot. Moreland hit a high but not that far ball that landed shy of left fielder Lopes. On that hit, Machado scored from second, and Moreland got a double. Four batters later, Profar singled up the middle to score Moreland from third. On the next at-bat, Austin Nola was able to score when Trent Grisham reached base due to an error.
Trevor Rosenthal worked a hitless final frame to end the game. Right after the game, the Padres donned some “Respect San Diego” shirts to celebrate their playoff berth.
Evan is a student finishing up a degree in Finance from Northern Arizona University. The ability to break down numbers and find the story behind them has lead to his first of writing for East Village times. He covers baseball which is the sport he grew up playing and has followed even after his playing years.
I’m not impressed with Castro defensively or with his offense. I’ll assume Nola will continue to get the workload he deserves. I’m hoping Nola sees every important inning of the playoffs because Castro should solely be the backup.
I’m hoping every player does their part now and contribute to many playoff wins.