The San Diego Padres (8-9) fell to the Milwaukee Brewers (11-5) 1-0 in the series finale on Sunday. The Brew Crew now heads to Seattle after taking the series from the Padres (3-1).

The Friars hosted their first Military Sunday of the 2023 season, but the Padres failed to score a run to send the Friar Faithful home with joy.

The Padres’ lineup continued to struggle. Early on, they failed to get the runner home from third in the first two innings as they left three runners on base. Juan Soto, Nelson Cruz, Trent Grisham, and Jose Azocar all struck out, failing to put the ball in play to get the runner home from third.

The first run of the game came in an interesting fashion for the Brewers. There was a miscommunication on a disengagement call, and it certainly benefited Milwaukee. The new 2023 rules strike again.

It’s not every day you see a run scored off of a bunt single, balk, stolen base, and a sacrifice fly. An earned run was handed to Darvish, but he really didn’t deserve it. Prior to the pitch after the bunt single to Garrett Mitchell, Darvish stepped off for whatever reason. As a result, home plate umpire Phill Cuzzi announced it as a disengagement. However, Cuzzi didn’t announce it until Darvish proceeded to try and pick off Mitchell at first base. Darvish clearly didn’t understand what Cuzzi said, and the balk was called after he tried to pick Mitchell off a second time.

The new rules are in full effect, and you will start to see an increase in balks called due to the disengagement count.

Despite the strange early run, Darvish pitched exceptionally on the first Military Sunday for the Friars. The right-hander struck out the side in order in the first, resulting in seven K’s in the first four innings. The 2023 World Baseball Classic champion finished the evening with 12 K’s, allowing just four hits in seven innings.

Yu Darvish, Filthy 88mph Splitter. 😷

12th K pic.twitter.com/ajxruBO9vJ

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 16, 2023

The Padres just could not give Darvish any run support. Prior to Ha-Seong Kim’s hit in the bottom of the ninth, the last hit for the Friars came back in the 4th inning when Kim singled to right field. Kim seemed to be the only offense for the Padres on Sunday.

Brewers’ closer Devin Williams walked Soto and Austin Nola in the ninth, which resulted in the bases loaded for Grisham. The 2022 playoff standout had a chance to not only tie the game but to win it with two outs in the ninth. However, the lefty struck out looking, and the Padres were shut out.

That was a tough way to end the series against a good team, but the Padres still have so much to look forward to in the next few weeks. Fernando Tatis Jr. returns this week and should light the fuse in the Padres’ lineup. Also, Joe Musgrove is projected to return in the next week or so as well. The Padres have a losing record right now but have also played some elite ball clubs.

The next game for San Diego is Monday night as they host the Atlanta Braves once again for a 3-game series before going on a road trip. Ryan Weathers is scheduled to start.

Game News and Notes

• Kim ended 2-4 with two singles
• Wade Miley pitched very well against the Padres, going seven innings striking out eight, and allowing only four hits.
• Juan Soto ended 0-3 and lowered his BA to .172.
• Xander Bogaerts is tied with Luis Arraez for the league lead in WAR at 1.2

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.