Padres Game Recap – June 6, 2015

It wasn’t the prettiest win of the season, but it was one of the most dramatic as the Padres came from behind in grand fashion tonight to defeat the Reds 9-7 and clinch a series a victory.  Yes, I do mean grand fashion as Yonder Alonso continued his torrid pace at the plate since his return from the DL with a grand slam home run to help snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat.

The game did not start well for the Friars, nor Cashner who was rudely greeted with three hits and three runs in the first inning to put the Pads in an early hole. He simply was not sharp with any of his pitches early and for the second game in a row the opposing hitters made him pay.  He escaped the 2nd by stranding a pair, but then allowed a home run in the 3rd to make it 4-0.

The Pads finally made some noise in the 4th, and it was off the bat of Kemp as he drove a fastball opposite field that hit the top of the right-center field wall for a solo home run, his second long ball of the season and his first since April 18th.

The reds answered right back this time with the help of some truly unusual faulty Padres defense by one of their most reliable defenders.  With two outs Venable appeared to misjudge a line drive at him, freezing momentarily before realizing he needed to go back but it was too late and a run scoring triple ensued. Even more stunning was the very next ball that was put into play was again hit towards Will and he again appeared to come in on it at first then retreated too late for another run scoring extra base hit over his head.  At this point it was 6-1 The Nati, and things were not looking too hopeful for the fellas.

However, one thing we have learned about this club a third of the way into the season is that they never quit.  This tenacity was shown once again as despite the deflating top of the 5th the boys staged a 2-out rally starting with a Norris walk.  How many times have we seen a Padres rally started this season simply with a good at bat that resulted in a walk?  Plenty!  Upton followed with a single to left, and it was Kemp’s turn again to do some damage…and again he came through.  This time with an opposite field double over the left fielder’s head to score Norris and Upton and get the Pads back to within 6-3.

Not only was Kemp’s hit clutch, but the fact that it was the second time in a row that he had done damage the other way made it all that much more enticing to believe that he is starting to find his groove.  We’ve seen him drive the ball towards right and get some singles to that side of the field the past few series, but to see him rewarded with some extra base hit and RBI damage was an encouraging sign to say the least.

Cash got through the 5th unscathed, but was lifted in the 6th after he issued a 2-out walk. Quack came in and allowed back to back bloopers to land safely into no man’s land in shallow left field plating the free pass to extend the Reds lead to 7-3.  It would be apex of the game for Cincy, and the last time they would enjoy the lead.

Against a bullpen that has had its challenges all season the Pads forged a rally in the 7th that was again started with two outs, and again by one Derrick Norris who just refuses to ever give away an at bat no matter what the score or situation.  This time he hustled out an infield single (his 11th of the season), to get the party started. Upton then walked, and Kemp walked as well to load the bases.  The reds brought in a lefty from their bullpen to try to neutralize the hot hitting Alonso.  Bad move.  After seeing several fastballs and fouling off four pithes to stay alive he finally got one to his liking and drove it just over the fence in right-center for a game tying grand slam.  It was the second grand-salami of his career, and although it was monetarily held in purgatory while it was challenged by the Reds for potential fan interference, the call was upheld and the dugout was able to celebrate in full force.  It was 7-7 and the Reds were stunned.

It then turned into a full fledged battle of the bullpens, so you already knew how this one was likely to end. Maurer went 1-2-3 in about 90 seconds of work to post a zero in the 7th.  Jumbo Diaz came in for the Reds throwing 98-101 MPH but the friars didn’t care. Almonte lead off with a pinch-hit double. Norris followed with a walk, and Upton walked to load the bases for you know who.  Yup, Matt Kemp again, and for the third time of the game he came through large, this time with a hard hit single through the left side to score Almonte and Norris to put the Friars on top for the first time all night 9-7.

Benoit had an easy scoreless 8th to set the stage for Kimbrel to post his 13th save.  It wasn’t without a little drama as he walked the first batter, and allowed a single to bring the go ahead run to the plate, but as usual he got the job done striking out the last batter to lock down the W.

It was a hard fought come from behind victory for the Friars and the first time all year they had recorded four wins in a  row.

There were  lot of fine performances today including Norris, Upton, and Middlebrooks all reaching base three times.  However, the heroics obviously have to be awarded to Kemp who went 3/4, homered, doubled, and drove in 5, and Alonso who also had 3 hits including the crucial game changing grand slam.

VERY NICE!!!

Tomorrow the boys will go for the sweep with Despaigne on the hill. First pitch is at 10:10 PST, and you can catch all the action with Ted Leitner and your truly on the Mighty 1090.

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