Snellzilla coming into form, Padres beat Cubs 5-0
Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
For the first six months and a half this season, Padres’ pitcher Blake Snell simply could not get outs.
The lefty failed to get first-pitch strikes and was giving up home runs at an alarming rate (nine in his first nine starts).
Despite throwing a whopping 48 pitches in his first two outings, Snell rebounded to throw six scoreless frames, striking out seven on season-high 109 pitches (67 strikes).
Since switching his battery mate from Austin Nola to Brett Sullivan and now Gary Sanchez in his last two starts, Snell has allowed just one run (0.53 ERA) in 17 innings.
“He’s always been a good pitcher; now he’s just doing what I always knew he could do,” Sanchez said.
🦖 Blake Snell in 2023 🔥
First 9 starts: 5.40 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 9 HR allowed, 48:27 K/BB in 45 innings.
Last 3 starts: 0.53 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 0 HR allowed, 21:10 K/BB in 17 innings. pic.twitter.com/eu3zxE9J3r
— Al Scott (@AlScott1998) June 6, 2023
On the other side, the Chicago Cubs turned to veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks for his third start of the season since returning from a shoulder injury.
Hendricks made quick work of the Padres in the first inning, only needing six pitches to go 1-2-3. The second inning offered a different outcome, however.
Manny Machado led off the bottom half of the inning with a bloop single into right field. After a flyout from Jake Cronenworth, Sanchez came up. The Padres catcher laid off two straight balls, pitches Cubs Manager David Ross did not agree with. Ross would proceed to be tossed after letting home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi hear it. The at-bat resumed, and on the fifth pitch of the at-bat, Sanchez got a hold of one and sent a changeup over the left field wall (375 feet).
🚨 Sánchez Smash in San Diego 🚨#BringTheGold pic.twitter.com/JyVqgnMsMQ
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 6, 2023
Matt Carpenter and Ha-Seong Kim followed it up with a pair of doubles as the Padres took an early 3-0 lead.
The next inning, Machado came up again and doubled to right field. Cronenworth would then drive him in with a single to shallow left-center field. Machado would finish the day 3-for-4, scoring three times in addition to flashing off the leather and his arm strength.
He's Manny Machado and you are out.
Vote Manny ⭐️ https://t.co/gyd80CEbUT pic.twitter.com/KBKxMORixf
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 6, 2023
Looking to add on in the eighth inning, the Padres worked the bases loaded with one out for Carpenter. The Padres designated hitter flew out to straight centerfield, caught against the wall by Cubs outfielder Christopher Morel. Despite the ball not leaving the yard, the flyout allowed Machado to score to give the Padres a 5-0 lead.
The Padres bullpen was dominant again with a trio of scoreless frames from Steven Wilson, Nick Martinez, and Tim Hill.
Al was born in Fresno, California with a passion for talking and writing about sports. The lifelong Padres fan is currently attending Fresno State as he pursues a degree in broadcast journalism. In addition to being a student, he does public address announcing at both the high school and collegiate levels.