Queens, NY- Citi Field

The Padres were eager to put their lifeless performance in the series opener on Monday behind them. They turned to Ryan Weathers for a swing in momentum on the mound.

Up to this point, Weathers has had an up-and-down career in the big leagues. On Tuesday night in New York, he appeared to take another step forward.

It certainly did not start out smoothly, with Weathers staring down a bases-loaded-zero-outs situation right out of the gate in the first inning. Not only that but two-time All-Star slugger Pete Alonso was up to bat with a big early chance for New York.

Weathers stood toe-to-toe with Alonso and eventually struck him out. He then induced an inning-ending double play without allowing a run. That clutch sequence for Weathers would end up proving pivotal in a game where the margin for error was razor-thin. That escape act seemed to settle him in.

“That was huge,” manager Bob Melvin said after the game. “He got tested in the first inning in a place like that; he really showed me a lot being able to get out of it.”

Ryan Weathers, Ankle Breaking Changeup. 🦶🐻‍❄️ pic.twitter.com/S52ewIcpuW

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 11, 2023

The Padres had their own scoring chance turned away by a double play in the top of the second.

The Mets were able to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth after a sacrifice fly from Mark Canha. Despite getting into some trouble, Weathers navigated through five innings with allowing just one earned run on three hits.

At the plate, the Padres appeared to have some hangover from a sleepy series opener on Monday. That ended in the top of the fifth.

Luis Campusano led off with a single ahead of a Brandon Dixon single with one out. Xander Bogaerts grounded out to get the runners to second and third. Facing two outs with two runners in scoring position, Manny Machado lined a double to score both runs. Machado had been struggling up to that point. He came through in the clutch on Tuesday, giving the Friars a 2-1 lead.

The two sides deployed their bullpens from the sixth inning on. Brent Honeywell Jr., Luis Garcia, and Steven Wilson tossed a combined three scoreless innings ahead of the ninth. In the top of the ninth, Campusano once again led off with a hit, this time a double. He ended the day with three hits, a team-high.

After two batters failed to get the catcher home, Bogaerts launched a ball into the left-field seats for a two-run homer. His fourth home run of the season gave the Padres a key 4-1 lead, allowing for some margin for error in the bottom of the ninth.

BOGAERTS BREAKS IT OPEN! ❌🚀

(via @BallySportsSD) pic.twitter.com/ZCBUUGbpqV

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 12, 2023

Closer Josh Hader would eventually need that margin, as things nearly unraveled for the perennial All-Star. Hader walked two with one out ahead of Tommy Pham, who singled home a run for the Mets. Tomas Nido grounded out with both runners moving before the pitch, advancing them to second and third with two outs.

Francisco Alvarez came to the plate representing the winning run, with the tying runs in scoring position. Hader dug deep and did what he does best, and got a strikeout in a high-pressure situation. He sealed the save, his fourth of the season in four tries, giving San Diego a 4-2 victory.

Nick Lee

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.