Padres start hot, hold off Red Sox in 3-1 win
Credit: Padres
Petco Park- San Diego, California
After losing the first two games of the three-game series, the San Diego Padres needed some momentum.
That got precisely that, as the team scored three runs in the first inning, capped by a Manny Machado two-run home run. The Padres were off to a 3-0 lead through the first three batters in the game and found themselves on top for the first time in the series against the reigning World Champions.
Now it would be up to second-year starter Joey Lucchesi and the inconsistent bullpen to contain the Boston Red Sox.
Joey Lucchesi proved to be a challenge for Boston. Red Sox’ hitters had not seen his signature “churve” pitch before, and it had them baffled the first time through the lineup as the lefty was perfect through three innings, only allowing a walk to Chris Owings.
The Red Sox got to Lucchesi the next time around, as the pitcher’s velocity dropped into the high 80’s with his fastball. The hurler is approaching the maximum on what the Padres want him throwing in a full season. Expect the team to be cautious with this young staff the rest of the way. Lucchesi would only throw 73 pitches in the game, but he was clearly fading fast in the contest.
San Diego was able to make its 3-0 lead hold up as the game went into the later innings. Only a solo-homer off the bat of J.D. Martinez cut into the Padres’ lead. Martinez slugged his 31st dinger of the season in the 4th inning off of Joey Lucchesi. Craig Stammen, Luis Perdomo, and Andres Munoz all had scoreless appearances out of the pen for the Padres.
Andres Munoz had a crucial moment in his development, as the pitcher got himself into trouble in the 8th inning, before striking out J.D. Martinez to end the threat. Moments like this will be key for his future as the young pitcher gets his feet wet at the major league level. “I am impressed by him (Munoz), he is doing a really nice job,” Green told the media after the game. The Mexican right-handed pitcher completed his frame allowing one base hit and one walk while striking out one batter.
Less than 18 hours after allowing a game-winning homer to Brock Holt on Saturday night, Kirby Yates would take the mound for San Diego trying to preserve the 3-1 win. The closer went 1-2-3 in the 9th, striking out two batters in the process. Yates lowered his ERA to 1.36 on the season in recording his 37th save. The Padres salvaged a win from the three-game series against the Sox. “The pitching was great today,” Andy Green said after the game.
BOOM!
Manny Machado continues the @Padres hot start with a 2-run homer! That’s also a new franchise record for HRs in a season with 190!#FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/5WeNYJ6DhG
— FOX Sports San Diego (@FOXSportsSD) August 25, 2019
San Diego now welcomes the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers into Petco Park for a three-game series which starts on Monday.
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.