Padres Game Recap – Apr. 12, 2015

Isn’t it awesome how in baseball it doesn’t matter how many “superstars” there may be on the field the hero could end up being someone completely unexpected?  Such was the case for the Padres today as the thunder of the offense was provided by two players making their first starts of the season to give the Pads a 6-4 victory over the Giants, and a 3-1 series win.

Wil Nieves was making his first appearance as a Padre since 2002. He struck out in his first at bat of the day, but with the team down 2-0 in the 4th, the former 47th round pick of the Pads walked to the dish with the bases loaded, 2-outs, and a total of 8 HR’s to his credit over 10 MLB seasons.  An unlikely hero to say the least, but a 1-1 pitch delivered by his former battery mate, Jake Peavy, got too much of the plate and Nieves lined it over the left field fence for his first career grand slam giving the Friars a 4-2 lead.

Later in the game with the score 5-4, made possible by an Amarista RBI 2B in the 6th, another unexpected contributor checked in when Will Venable also making his first start of the year popped his first long ball of the season into the Petco Porch down the right-field line to extend the lead to 6-4, the final.

Ross started the game and fought his control most of the afternoon.  The slider early on just didn’t seem to have the usual Ross depth, and his fastball command was not its sharpest either in the early going as two runs crossed.  He allowed those 2 runs over the first three, then appeared to settle down in the 4th striking out the side.  That’s when he was handed the 4-run lead, thanks to Nieves. He made it through the 5th then started wobbling again a little in the 6th allowing a run to cross before Buddy went to the ‘pen.  All in all he battled, and bottom line kept his club in the game.

Thayer allowed a HR to Posey to make it 5-4. From then on it was lock down. Rearick did his job retiring his only batter in his MLB debut. Benoit then followed looking nasty, and finally it was time to release the Kimbrel.  Pumping 96-98 through shadows at home plate, and dropping a curve ball in just for fun he mowed the Giants down 1-2-3 including a strikeout of his and the Padres new arch rival Pagan.

All in all and exciting and well played game for both sides in front of 40K+ fans on Military Opening Day.

Some quick notes of the day:

• Taya Kyle, wife of “American Sniper” hero Kris Kyle threw out the first pitch. It was a very poignant moment to cap off the pregame military ceremonies.
• The 168, 171 fans that attended the first four games was the largest 4 game total ever in Petco’s history.
• Tyson Ross’s streak of 8 home games allowing 2 runs or less was broken. It was the third longest such active streak behind MIA Jose Fernandez (20), and Friar teammate Andrew Cashner who will look to extend his own streak to 19 tomorrow.
• With a double today Justin Upton has now it safely in all 7 of the team’s games.

Pads will host the Snakes tomorrow, with the afore mentioned Cashner going against De La Rosa. First pitch is at 7:10. Hope you’ll join Jesse Agler and myself for the call on the Mighty 1090.

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