Strahm knocked around by Giants in 10-4 loss
Credit: Giants
Petco Park- San Diego, California
The San Diego Padres took a major beating on Monday at the hands of the San Francisco Giants. The second game of the series started the same way as the Padres fell behind big in the middle innings of the game.
Matt Strahm was given the ball on Tuesday, and the game did not begin well for the left-handed pitcher. He gave up a 403-foot leadoff homer to Donovan Solano on a 92.8 mph fastball that landed in the second deck of the outfield pavilion. Strahm was able to settle down and get out of the inning, but once again, the Padres were behind on the scoreboard to start the game.
Another second deck homer, this time off the bat of Evan Longoria put the Giants up 2-0 early. Franmil Reyes responded with a solo homer to lead off the second for the Padres making it a 2-1 contest, but that was the closest the Padres came in the game.
The game got out of hand, as the Giants put up five more runs off of Strahm and took a commanding 7-1 lead after five innings.
Bullpen issues continue to plague the Padres, as they have had trouble finding starters to go deep into games all year long. Strahm only lasted five innings on the night, throwing 77 pitches. Robbie Erlin relieved him and threw two shutout innings, but Robert Stock was knocked around a bit, allowing three earned runs in two innings of work. The all-star break cannot come soon enough for the Padres pitching staff. Stock showed a plus changeup and great velocity but struggled with command and location.
In the end, the Padres took a 10-4 loss on the chin. It has been a rough two games for this club, and the locker room was a silent wasteland after the game. Frustration was seen on every player in the room as they truly expect better of themselves against the last place Giants.
After the game, Andy Green indicated that it was a very tough loss. Matt Strahm told reporters that he was hitting his spots, but was just struck hard by the Giants. He explained that he needs to stop giving up the long ball if he wants to succeed. The left-handed looked very displeased with his effort on Tuesday.
The Padres will look to right the ship on Wednesday and avoid the sweep at the hands of the Giants. Cal Quantrill takes the mound for the Padres in a 6:10 PM start.
News and Notes
Fernando Tatis Jr. made a nice grab of a 103.5 mph groundball off the bat of Tyler Austin in the top of the first. His throw to first was clocked 94.1 mph which is a new Statcast record for the year from a shortstop. Tatis now has all five of the highest velocity throws from short this year.
In the bottom of the second, Franmil Reyes punished a 3-1 pitch sending it over the wall in right-center for his 25th homer of the season. He now leads the team in home runs.
Andy Green mentioned before the game that Dinelson Lamet was feeling great and should be in line to start one of the games this week against the Dodgers in L.A.
Travis Jankowski, playing in El Paso, went 0-for-3 tonight with two strikeouts in his return from a wrist injury. Told EVT after the game- “That was the happiest 0-for-3 I have ever had.” The outfielder is expected to play a couple of weeks in Texas before being activated.
After the game, Andy Green indicated that Matt Strahm would come out of the bullpen in the team’s next series against the Dodgers. He did not say this was a permanent move but indicated that Strahm could have an opportunity to improve his stuff in that role.
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.
Should the Padres front office be looking at the OUR catching situation to see what needs to be done? What’s more important; a catcher who hits from time to time OR a catcher who is highly respected, the #1 leader of the pitching staff, someone who plays great defense, calls a great game and counsels each pitcher he faces? If you understand my question and message, why the heck is Preller and the front office trying to diminish the role and value of one of the top players the Padres have? With all the young pitchers the Padres have, wouldn’t you think we’d need Austin Hedges working with these young men on a daily basis? BTW, if you tell me Hedges can’t hit, I’ll answer you with a question; how well would YOU hit if you knew your front office didn’t believe in you? It can’t be easy to perform under less than desirable circumstances.
Wow, double-digits given up in back-to-back games by the worst lineup in all of baseball. Strahm is a good pitcher, just not a starter (apparently). He was perfect in the role he had last year, and greatly helped the team in that way.
What was the point of leaving Strahm in to face the lineup for the 3rd time when he’s already given up 3 runs, with a lot of hard hit balls? Should have gone to the pen right then. But nope, not in San Diego. So a 3-1 game that was still winnable became a 7-1 game.