Padres Game Recap – May 20, 2015

Curses to the lead off walk! Curses to the walk of the pitcher!  Double curses to the lead off walk of the pitcher!!!  And so it was that the lead off walk to the pitcher was the Padres downfall tonight as they fell to the cubs 3-2 to even the series at one a piece.

Ross was Sharp for most of the evening, but just a couple of small lapses were all it took, as is usually the case in an MLB game, to scuttle the ship.  The first such moment came in the first inning.  After allowing a single to Bryant and hitting Rizzo, the runners were able to get a good jump and steal 3rd and 2nd. The next hitter grounded out to shortstop which at a minimum would have been the second out without a run scoring, or maybe an inning ending double play had the runners not advanced on the double steal. Instead it scored the run from third to give the Cubs the 1-0 lead.  It’s a small thing, but with a high leg kick delivery like Ross has there needs to be some effort to control the running game through varying looks, varying holds, inside moves, fake pick offs, stepping off, etc. to keep the runners from taking such liberties.

The Friars overcame that deficit in the fourth inning, however, thanks to a single by Norris and a 2-run line drive shot to dead center field by Justin Upton to put the boys on top 2-1.  It was the first breakthrough they’d had against Wada who struck out 8 of the first 10 he faced tonight.

The lead unfortunately was short lived as the second lapse by Ross in his otherwise solid 7 inning effort proved to be costly.  After the offense provided him a lead he walked the leadoff man to start the next inning.  Even more frustrating, as noted above, it was the pitcher who he walked.  Trust me, I did it myself during my career. Every pitcher probably has done it if they are on the mound for more than just a few games in their career littleleawuge or otherwise, and it is the most agonizing self inflicted wound you can administer to yourself and your team.  You’re not trying to walk him.  You’re trying to nibble. You just can’t throw a damn strike for whatever reason!

Following the lead off walk Fowler tripled to score the pitcher, and scored on the ensuing sac-fly to plate the second run of the inning and give the Cubs a fatal 3-2 lead.  Without the leadoff free pass none of the runs score, and presumably the Pads win 2-1.

So the Cubs helped the Pads get the win in last night’s game with 3 errors, and tonight the Friars returned the favor with some gift opportunities of their own.

The rubber match tomorrow will be determined by Odrisamer Despaigne with the first pitch being fired at 6:10. Look forward to you joining Uncle teddy and me for the call on the Mighty 1090.

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