Padres Game Recap – Apr. 17, 2015

Ups and downs, misplays and magnificent plays, momentum shifts, lead changes, ejections, a visible “invisible” ball, Idol worship…you name it, this game had it in the midst of the Padres 5-4 victory over the Cubs.

It all started smoothly enough with Pads starter James Shields going through the lineup without much trouble the first two innings.  He even struck out the greatest player in Cubs history…or at least that’s what it sounded like every time Kris Bryant appeared on field today.  Batting practice – ovation. Pregame stretch – loud ovation. Pregame lineup announcements – raucous ovation.  First walk up to the plate – standing ovation! He’s apparently Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg, and Ron Santo all wrapped into one. How else does a Cub get standing O’s just for showing up?  Don’t get me wrong, he’s probably one of the most potential filled young power hitters the game has seen, and we’re all anxious to see how the talent transfers to the big league level.  Just hope the Cubs fans don’t put an expectation on this promising young player that he could never fulfill.

The third inning, however, Shields hit a road bump. The unexpected part was that it was self induced. He allowed a double, not a big deal except it was to the pitcher. The next batter attempted to sacrifice the runner to third, but when Shields fielded it he grabbed it awkwardly with his bare hand and followed that up with an even more gawky off balance throw that sailed over Alonso’s head allowing a run to score. He then helped another run to cross by throwing what was officially ruled a wild pitch, but Derek Norris himself would tell you he should have blocked the ball. In any case 2-0 Cubs on gifted runs.

The Pads answered right back though the next half inning. With 2 outs Alonso put together a tough at bat to work a walk, which set the table for Middlebrooks who then drove a 2-run blast opposite field into the wind to tie the game. Man size pop to inflict the two out damage!

Standing ovation for Bryant in the fourth!!!  Strike out…maybe next time.

The fifth inning again tested Shields, this time as a result of some missed locations allowing back-to back-to back-to back singles plating two more Cubs runs.  The streak was ended by a standing ovation, which signaled Bryant’s entrance into the batters box, and eventual exit with yes another K.  It was at this point that the first “You suck!” was issued by a member of the Friendly Confines crowd, and it was at this moment that Kris Bryant truly earned his status as a Cubs icon.  The cast for the statue is being sketched as you read this.

The 6th inning featured one of the best defensive plays by a Pads third baseman that I’ve seen.  A diving play to the backhand that carried him into foul territory just shy of the outfield grass, followed up with a strong throw to first, scooped adroitly by Alonso to barely beat Castro. The Cubs understandably challenged the play, and from multiple angles he appeared safe, but the review went the Pads way and the out call was upheld.  Ever fickle, Big Mo (Momentum) at that moment decided it wanted to hang out in the Padres dugout the rest of the game, and not a moment too soon.

The 7th was filled with fireworks and all in the colors of Padres blue, white and gold.  Gyorko, who’s had some good swings the past two games, singled up the middle to start the rally.  Amarista followed with another single. Then with two outs Myers fell behind in the count 0-2.  Just as the pitcher started his delivery for the next pitch the home plate umpire called time out. Thank goodness he did because the pitch delivered was 94 MPH at the knees on the black – likely end of the at bat and the inning.  Thank you Big Mo! The next pitch delivered was again on the outer half, and could have been called strike three at the knees but the umpire called it a ball. Big Mo strikes again, and the at bat continues. The next pitch was thigh high, out over and Will absolutely crushed it over the left field fence for a 3-run bomb, giving the Friars their first lead of the day 5-4.  Fireworks!

It was at this point that Cubs skipper Joe Maddon needed to let off some fireworks of his own, and did so by going to the mound feigning intent to talk with his pitcher, when in reality he just lay in wait for the home ump to reach the mound. Upon his arrival the explosion commenced and Maddon was quickly tossed, which only threw fuel on his expletive filled fire.  He knew the game had slipped threw his fingers, and that the fate of his team and game’s outcome awaited in the Pads bullpen…Thayer, Benoit, Kimbrel.

His concerns were of course well founded. Thayer posted a zero, with the help of some quick thinking by Upton.  The leadoff batter, Fowler, hit a ball to the wall that could possibly have turned into a triple with his speed.  The moment it hit the wall, though it stuck in the brown vines and alertly Upton immediately threw up his hands to signal the ball was trapped and unplayable, ceasing the runners advancement.  The ball, however, was clearly visible and honestly reachable, but the rule states that a ball in the vines (hidden by the leaves that usually exist or not) is a dead ball  – period.  The call was challenged but again upheld.  Stay true Big Mo! Strangely the ball just sat there, visible for the remainder of the game serving as a mocking reminder to the Cubs that the game had slipped away, and nothing was going to go their way to reverse their inevitable demise.  Thayer then ended the threat on a groundout by the officially baptized Cub, Bryant.

Benoit pitching for the 6th time in the past 9 days again brought the 95 MPH heat and filthy changeup to log a goose egg in the 8th.  Buddy then released the Kimbrel in the ninth, and for the fourth time in a row he sealed the deal to bring home the Pads W, 5-4.

Whew!!!  A bit of a wild ride, but a heck of a fun one to start the road trip. Tomorrow Tyson Ross will look to extend the Pads winning streak to four.  Game time is 11:20 am once again, with the voice of the Padres, Ted Leitner, and myself bringing you the call on the Mighty 1090.  Look forward to you joining us!

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