Padres Game Recap – May , 2015

Interesting to the last pitch was this game, with home runs, triples, lead changes, 2 cycle pursuits, a roof closure, and ultimately a 6-5 Padre victory to even the series with the Diamondbacks 1-1. Before the first pitch was thrown the Pads disclosed that Alonso would be going to the 15-Day DL and that Myers would likely get the lion’s share of the time at 1B until Yo returns. The move also meant that Will Venable would get the start in center field tonight, which would set the stage for near history.

Making only his 5th start of the season Will ignited things early with a Homerun to get the boys on top 1-0.  After being shut out yesterday the team needed that early shot in the arm, and with Shields on the mound the hope was the lead would stick for at least a little while until the offense could add on. Not to be though, as the next half inning Shields committed one of the cardinal pitching sins walking a batter with no one on and two outs. Sure enough, Ka-Bam! A 2-run HR by the next batter put the Snakes on top, and put the Pads back in to catch up mode as they’ve been in way too many times this road trip already.

Not to be deterred nor denied the Friars offense responded with some 2-out damage of their own, thanks to the same 2-out free pass transgression that they had just gifted the half inning before, followed by a Spangenberg stolen base, and a Kemp RBI 1B. 2-2 after three.

The fourth saw Venable return to the plate, and again he ignited and delighted this time with a 3B. Wait…HR, 3B? Yep, we were all thinking the same thing – the Friars first Cycle! First things first, though, and Venable did indeed score to put the Pads ahead 3-2.

The fifth continued to show the Pads had the momentum going their way with Myers going deep to make it 4-2, and Spangenberg hitting a 3B to the deepest and highest part of the wall in CF from home plate to put the Fathers up 5-2.  With the wind picking up and swirling around the stadium it was decided to close the roof after the end of the inning, so in theory the atmosphere would be deadened favoring the Padres and their lead.

But what lead is safe in Chase field for anyone, but especially the Padres for who the venue has been a house of horrors and heartbreak over the years. 5-2 turned into 5-3 with one swing of the bat in the AZ fifth, and the Snakes second HR of the game. Two more swings of the bat resulted in two more HR’s in the sixth inning, and the evaporation of the 3-run Friar lead that existed just 3 outs previously.

Back to square one. Needing to regain the momentum that had been lost, the Pads were again given a gift, this time thanks to the violation of another cardinal pitching sin which is to not walk the lead off man of an inning. The sinful gift was in the person of Upton who was walked to start the 7^th, and similar to the second inning he stole second to get in scoring position. Venable then walked to the plate and promptly lined a fastball into left field scoring Upton, giving a 6-5 lead to the Pads, and putting him within a 2B of completing the organization’s elusive first cycle.

Venable was not the only Friar who was one hit away from the cycle, as Myers had a 1B, HR, and 2B already in his column of the box score needing only the 3B in his final at bat to make history. He lead off the 8^th with a single to right, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a 2B. In my imagination he would have tried to complete a little league triple by running unfettered all the way to third until he was either thrown out or made it safe. But his quest was thwarted, so it was now all on the shoulders of Venable.

Maurer and Benoit pitched scoreless innings to keep the 6-5 lead in place. Venable was not due up in the 9^th, but a 2-out single by Norris off the leg of the pitcher allowing Will one final plate appearance seemed to ordain the completion of the cycle tonight. All he needed was a 2B…what he got was 3 straight nasty sliders and a swinging strikeout. Rats!!! The wait continues…

With that anticipation put to rest, the sole focus was back on winning the game and Kimbrel came in to do just that. For the 9^th time this year he came in and slammed the door retiring the side in order, and securing the 6-5 victory.

Ross will be given the pill tomorrow to get the Pads back-to-back wins, and a guaranteed minimum series split. First pitch will be at 5:10, and Ted Leitner and I look forward to you joining us for all the action on the Mighty 1090.

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