Renfroe Plays Hero Again, Padres Win 3-2 Over Mets
Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego, California
After suffering a crushing loss in Game 2 of the series against the New York Mets, the San Diego Padres looked to take the rubber match. Matt Strahm took the mound to make sure that happened.
The Mets struck quickly in the first inning after Amed Rosario singled home a run, giving New York an early 1-0 lead.
Strahm then surrendered a solo home run to Tomas Nido, extending New York’s lead to 2-0. Strahm settled down after that and eventually pitched 6 1/3 innings and struck out seven with one walk (his first in five starts) and two earned runs. He got a lot of help from his defense, including a smooth play at shortstop by Manny Machado and Manuel Margot robbed Pete Alonso of a home run, essentially saving the game.
Eric Hosmer responded in the bottom of the second with a solo home run of his own, his sixth of the season and his fourth in the last 13 games. In May, Hosmer is batting .379 with a 133 wRC+ and a .870 OPS. This cut the Mets lead to 2-1.
Strahm helped out his cause when he doubled with one out in the bottom of the third, putting himself in scoring position for Franmil Reyes. Reyes hit a bloop single into shallow left field, and with two outs, Strahm was able to run around the bases and score, tying the game at two.
Mr. MarGo back.#FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/NHf3JiFMjC
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 8, 2019
Then the game turned into a pitching battle, with Strahm and the Mets pitching staff trading blows. Wilmer Font started the game for the Mets but served as an “opener” as he went four innings, then Robert Gsellman took over for two nearly perfect innings.
Mets reliever Tyler Bashlor came in to face Hunter Renfroe in the bottom of the seventh. Renfroe then sent a 1-0 pitch into the second deck in left field for a solo, go-ahead home run. It was his third home run in four games and his ninth homer of the season. He had come through several times this season when the Padres needed him most, and he did so again on Wednesday afternoon. That home run gave the Padres a slim 3-2 lead.
Hunter Renfroe crashes the Bashlor party.pic.twitter.com/HS5bkSkid5
— Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) May 8, 2019
That lead is all they needed as Gerardo Reyes came in for Strahm with one out in the seventh and proceeded to retire all five batters he faced, three of which by strikeout. Then the Friars turned to closer Kirby Yates for yet another one-run save, and he answered the bell. It was not without drama, with two runners on base, but Yates was able to get Nido swinging for the game and series-clinching strikeout. Yates earned his Major League-leading 15th save.
Once again, the Padres win a one-run game; they are now 9-6 in one-run ballgames. They move to 21-17, the best start since 2010.
The Friars now have a much-needed off day, which is a travel day before starting a three-game weekend series in Colorado against the Rockies on Friday.
Native of Escondido, CA. Lived in San Diego area for 20 years. Padres fan since childhood (mid-90s). I have been writing since 2014. I currently live near Seattle, WA and am married to a Seattle sports girl. I wore #19 on my high school baseball team for Tony Gwynn. I am a stats and sports history nerd. I attended BYU on the Idaho campus. I also love Star Wars.