Kennedy went 6 innings allowing only 2 runs in recording hi 5th W of the season.
The Pirates came to town having won 8 of their previous 12, and continued their winning ways taking 2 of 3 from the Padres. Here’s how the game went down:
- GAME #1 – Stauffer vs. Morton. The first two innings went fine…then it was all down hill from there. Stauffer was coming off an outing where he did not make it out of the first inning, so getting through the first two of this game it seemed like everything was back on track. The third inning though started off with a HR to the #8 hitter Mercer , and it unraveled from there. 6 batters later another run was in, the bases were loaded, and Stauff was teetering on the brink of a big inning. Buddy went and got him before more damage could be done, and Torres stranded the runners keeping it at 2-0. The trouble was only starting though as Torres would allow a run on 2 hits and 2 HBP’s. The Pads were walking the tight rope, but stayed close scoring 2 in the 5th to make -3-2. The Pirates came back and scored a run in the 6th, again leaving the bases loaded. The flood gates finally opened in the 7th as 3 Pirate runs scored, then 3 more were plated in the 8th. The whole affair ended in the Pads losing 1-3, with the ugly game taking 4 hours and 4 minutes – the longest 9 inning home game in franchise history. It was one of the few times all season that the bullpen did not have a good night – they were entitled after the yeoman’s job they’ve done all season. 1-0 Pirates.
- GAME #2 – Hahn vs. Cole. Young Jesse Hahn made his MLB debut, and threw fine for the first two innings showing a lively fastball and big curve. Having only thrown 5 innings once this year though, he fatigued quickly allowing 2- run HR’s in the 3rd and 4th innings. His night was done, but you could see good potential upside. Former outfielder Jason Lane then made his MLB debut as a pitcher, having previously spent 5 years as an outfielder with the Astros and Padres. In fact, his lat MLB game as an outfielder was game 163 with the Padres in 2007. 7 years later he returns as a left handed pitcher and threw a perfect 3 1/3 innings. Great comeback story! Unfortunately the Pads were not able to write their own comeback script, as the offense was quiet most of the night mustering only 4 hits for the game, and ended up losing 4-1. 2-0 Pirates.
- Game #3 – Kennedy vs. Liriano. Strange game. Liriano was wild walking six, and striking out 6, but only allowed 1 hit. The Pads were able to score 2 in the first, on that 1 hit, a walk, an error, and a poor decision on a pop up that turned into a sacrifice fly with some Cabrera hustle. Kennedy was his usual solid self, not allowing a run until the 4th on a McCutchen HR. The Pads answered with a run that scored with no hits, on a bases loaded walk – thank you! The Bucs score another in the 5th, but that would be all as kennedy would go 6 innings for the 11th time in 13 starts. Handing it over to the bullpen with a lead after the 6th has been money in the bank 17 of 18 times this season. Vincent, Benoit and Street did it again, holding the lead with Street nothing his 18th win. It was not a dominating victory by any means with only 1 hit the entire game. But they pitched well, played solid defense, took advantage of the openings that were offered them. Sometimes that’s what you need to do to win a game, and you don’t apologize for it, you just take the W and prepare for the next match up. Pads salvage the final game taking it 3-2, but drop the series 2-1.
No excuses – the team is not hitting. The pitching staff had one bad night, but the overbearing burden the team continues to struggle with is an offense that can not provide any kind of consistent meaningful support to the pitching staff. It’s been the same story all season, and although there are glimmers of hope here and there the burden has taken it’s toll, and put the Padres 11.5 games behind the division leading Giants.
The fellas get a day off Thursday, then resume against the Nationals for the weekend. Will be good to see Cashner back on the mound. The match up will be as follows:
- Game #1 (7:10 PDT) – Ross vs. Roark
- Game #2 (7:10 PDT) – Cashner vs. Treinen
- Game #3 (7:10 PDT) – Stults vs. Zimmerman
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