In baseball you often hear the saying, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” Such was the case for the Padres and Tyson Ross tonight as they took the opening game of the series from the Diamondbacks 4-2.
The Pads scored first in the 1st when Norris reached on one of three AZ errors on the evening, then scored on Alonso’s double.
Ross was coming off his best outing of the year, a complete game victory over the snakes five days ago, but that mojo didn’t automatically carry over. He struggled with his control from the get go issuing walk in the first. He then walked the lead off man to start the second but escaped damage thanks in part to Norris throwing him out on an attempted steal of second. It caught up to him in the 3rd, however. Again he issued a lead off free pass, and would eventually load the bases with two other walks. Goldschmidt singled up the middle to score two and the Pads lead was gone 2-1.
Spangenberg made things happen in the Friar half of the 3rd as he lined a hit into left field. Ross successfully bunted him to second. He then stole third base, and on the resulting throw down it tipped off the third baseman’s glove and into left field far enough for Cory to score. Game tied 2-2.
Ross strolled out for the fourth inning and looked liked a different pitcher. His fastball command all of a sudden showed up as did his slider control and depth. He was back to being the dominant guy that shut down the snakes for nine innings five days ago. He faced the minimum 9 batters the last three innings of work, striking out 4 – strong finish.
In the 5th inning the offense gave him the lead with Spangenberg again leading the way. This time he reached on a broken bat infield, hustle single. Ross again did his job with the stick and bunted Spangy safely to 3rd. Kemp hit a sac-fly to center field and the Friar’s were back on top 3-2. Sexy manufactured run.
It was truly an impressive turn around for Tyson tonight, and even he looked as though he could have gone out for the 7th, Murphy wanted to go to his ‘pen.
Maurer came in to shut down the 7th, and Benoit did the same in the 8th. The Pads added on an insurance run in their half of the inning as M. Upton hit a single to drive in Kemp who had doubled to open the inning which made it 4-2. It was then Kimbrel Time. The fire balling right hander did not disappoint notching his 18th save and locking down the victory for the fellas.
It was a nice overall win for the boys, and the first home victory for skipper Pat Murphy.
Cashner will try to make it two in a row for the Fathers who haven’t won back to back contests since June 6th in Cincinnati. First pitched will be fired by Cash at 7:10 on Beach Towel Night, and you know you can find Uncle teddy and myself talking ball and bringing you the call on the Mighty 1090.
Scan
One Comment
Robert Gates
June 27, 2015 at 12:13 am