Padres slump continues, errors prove costly as Friars drop fourth straight game
Credit: Padres
San Francisco, California
The San Diego Padres looked to bounce back from a hard loss yesterday and split this quick two-game series with the San Francisco Giants. They fell short once again failing to secure a series win for the fifth straight series (four series losses, one series split).
This game, much like yesterday, had a very interesting start to it. After a Fernando Tatis Jr. groundout to start the game, Josh Naylor cranked a line drive to center field that bounced off the top of the center field wall and bounced back into play for a double. A replay review showed the ball clearing the center field fencing but bouncing off what looked like to be a metal beam behind the fence, which the Padres felt like was enough to warrant a home run. The umpires, however, felt different about the hit and the call was upheld keeping Naylor at second base.
Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer both worked walks after that double to load the bases with one out. Not much would come of the bases loaded jam however as Franmil Reyes rocking a fresh haircut grounded into a double play to end the threat put on by the Friars.
Joey Lucchesi took the mound to start the game for the Padres; he put up another solid start going at least five innings once again. He has only gone less than at least five innings twice (both 4.0), both those appearances came way back in April.
Lucchesi, who is allowing an average of just over one home run per nine innings pitched, gave up a one-out, solo shot to Kevin Pillar in the home side of the second inning to put the Giants up early. The lefty responded well ass he finished the inning and then went strong the following two innings without allowing a hit.
The Padres offense was able to get things going, Hosmer doubled in the third inning to put the Padres on the board and tie the game. With one out and Manuel Margot on third base, Naylor grounded out to second base that allowed Margot to cross the plate and give the Padres the lead. Before that at-bat, Naylor was 6-for-9 with runners in scoring position since being called up; he continues to secure his spot at the big league level.
It wouldn’t be until the fifth inning when a single followed by a Tatis Jr. throwing error, that put Steven Duggar on second base with one out. That would be the first of Padres two crucial errors in the inning. A two out-single would allow Duggar to score from second which was followed up by a Josh Naylor throwing error that allowed Donovan Solano‘s single to put him on third base. A good attempt, but poor throw on a ground ball to shortstop allowed that run to score and put the Giants up 3-2 and crush the hopes of Padre fans across Twitter.
Robbie Erlin took over for Joey Fuego to start the seventh inning; he too fell victim to the mass of atrocious errors by the Padres defense. Deja Vu set in as what should have been a single put Duggar on second base; he was then brought home by Solano for the second time in the game.
The bottom of the night got things going again when the Padres appeared to be dead, with two outs and down 0-2 Ian Kinsler hit one just out of the infield; a misplay by Brandon Crawford allowed Kinsler to reach first base safely.
Hunter Renfroe came in to pinch hit for Austin Hedges, a call that many argued should have been made when the Padres where down by a run, he rocked a double that moved Kinsler on third and gave Padres fans a glimpse of hope during these dark times. Wil Myers came to the plate and surprisingly worked a seven-pitch walk after falling behind in the count 1-2. Margot came to the plate and ended the game with on a second pitch pop out.
The Padres fall to 33-35 and are now just four games out of last place after surrendering these last two games to the Giants.
Derek is a 22-year-old out of Lemon Grove, California. A burning passion for San Diego sports led him to pursue an opportunity to write and share about what’s going on with the teams in America’s Finest City. A young and aspiring sports journalist looking to grow his knowledge and expand his experience at any opportunity.
This team is pathetic. Not from a talent standpoint, but in performance, heart, passion, etc. I prefer teams of old who at least had heart, even though everyone knew they had no chance to make the playoffs. The Giants have an embarrassingly horrible lineup, and still “swept” the Padres. They are uninspired and lifeless—and overpaid!!! Time for a change in management! They actually could have completed for a playoff spot, but not with Green and Preller at the helm.
There is a lot of truth to your post.
Preller signs Machado to an enormous contract, but then does nothing else.
Think about how hard it is to overwork BOTH starters and relievers, but Green has managed it. Now, come August or September we’ll need a whole new rotation. And he has given over 100 at bats to these players with a below 85 wRC+ rating:
Hedges 53. Probably can’t be helped, but damn he’s a lousy hitter.
Margot 57. Time to demote this sure out, even if it means playing Myers in CF.
France 74. Ugh. All the guys hitting at El Paso, and this is the one they promote.
Kinsler 76. Enough already. Bench him, promote Urias and use Garcia as the INF reserve. At least he won’t bat leadoff with Tatis back, but why is he playing at all?