Quentin had 2 pinch hits the last two games, including a HR, and driving in 3 runs.
The challenges keep mounting, but the Padres keep fighting. Along with the offense that has been struggling to get a toe hold all season, the backbone of the club, it’s pitching, suffered two losses as it entered the four game set with the presumably beatable Cubs, lead by former Pads bench coach Rick Renteria. Cashner went on the DL before the home stand, and then before the Cubs series Erlin was also shelved with elbow pain. Two spot starters would have to help the Pads keep the Cubs offense in check, while hoping the offense could muster enough runs. Here’s how the four game set played out:
- GAME #1 – Stults vs. Arrieta. With Buddy Black out of town for his daughter’s graduation, bench coach Dave Roberts made his managerial debut. The Pads scored first with a run in the 1st, thanks to a Seth Smith HR, but Stults would have to make it stand up as that would be the only run the offense would plate. Things looked good until the 4th when the Cubs would take the lead thanks to a 2-run HR by former Pad Anthony Rizzo. A 3-run 5th would follow giving the North Siders a 5-1 lead that would never be threatened. The best opportunity came in the 6th, with two runners on and the hottest Pads hitter Smith then Headley due up, but neither could solve Arrieta that inning and that was essentially it. 1-0 Cubs.
- GAME #2 – Stauffer vs. Jackson. With the injuries to the rotation Stauffer was called on to make his first start since 2012. He looked like he hadn’t missed a beat since the last start, going 5 solid scoreless signings allowing only 2 hits. It was more than enough as the offense pasted Jackson for 4 runs in the 1st, and 3 more in the 2nd as the Pads cruised to an 11-1 win. It was only the second time this season that the Friar offense had posted double digits, and it was a much needed blowout. Needed not only to at least for a night relieve the emotional pressure of having to play game after game of every pitch with the game on the line, but physically allowing Stauffer to go 5, and thus not over using the bullpen with an uncertain spot starter going to the mound the next night. It was a fun victory on Brown Out night where the ’84 playoff team was honored, and fans were encouraged to wear their brown. Series toed 1-1.
- Game #3 – Buckner vs. Wood. Spot starter Billy Buckner was called up to cover for Erlin’s spot, and to his credit the 30 -year old journeyman gave the Pads a chase to win. He allowed only 1- run through the first 5 frames, but started to fatigue in the 6th, making a few mistakes up and 2 more crossed. As he fought to keep the Cubs at bay, the offense that exploded for 11 runs the night before again went AWOL, and the Friars trailed 3-0 into the 8th. Then the Padres walking hitting conundrum, Carlos Quentin, came off the bench to hit for the first time since injuring his groin in the Rockies series, and breathed life into the team, the crowd, and the broadcast team with a 2-run HR hammered over the left field wall to get the Pads within 1. The Friars were unable to close that final gap, however, and lost game game 3-2 to give the Cubs a 2-1 series lead.
- GAME #4 – Kennedy vs. Hammel. Staring a series defeat in the face to the not ready for prime time Cubs, at home, the pads had figure out a way to get some runs on the board to support Kennedy, who himself had not been his sharpest his last 2 outings. It started out a pitcher’s duel as Kennedy looked sharp, and matched zeroes with Hammel through 5. The Cubs broke the stalemate with a HR by Lake on a hanging curve ball. One mistake and Kennedy was again looking at a tough loss, as he sat on the bench being pinch hit for trailing 1-0 in the 6th. A life line was thrown him though as Medica, just called up that morning, started the inning with a pinch hit single, and scored on a Headley sac fly. Quentin again came off the bench and singled in the run, followed by Gyorko who doubled in a run with another scoring in the person of tyson Ross (running for Quentin), when the ball was bobbled in the outfield and the Friars had handed Kennedy a pleasant 4-run parting gift for the day, and a 4-1 lead. street came on in the 9th to seal it up as he has done all year, but there was a glitch in the machine as for the first time all year did not have his seemingly automatic pin point control. After issuing a walk, he surrendered a 2-run HR to Castro to cut the lead to 4-3, with 3 outs still to go. Fortunately he dug deep and retired the next 3 batters to hang on to the win, notch his 14th save of the season, and secure a 2-2 series split with a Happy flight to AZ.
Yes, it was hair pulling to have to hang on for dear life at the end of the last game to salvage a split with the Cubs, but it was still fun series for several reasons. It was a fun weekend celebrating the ’84 playoff team with Brown Out Night, retro jerseys on the field igniting the ever passionate “Bring back the brown” debate, welcoming Rick Renteria “home” to congratulate him on his new position as the Cubs skipper, witnessing Dave Roberts’ managerial debut, retro jersey and sunglasses give aways, and tease visits from the Padres offense and Quentin to keep one’s hopes alive that at some point the bats will start to support the pitching that’s been some of the bet in the league.
The Padres also made a long anticipated roster move in trading C Nick Hundley to Baltimore in return for LHP Troy Patton. Anyone who had the good fortunate too interact with Nick during his 6 season with the Padres can attest to his commitment as a ball player, and character as a person. His position on the team, however, was supplanted by Rene Rivera, but hopefully all goes well for Nick with the Orioles.
Back on the road now, starting with a trip to the desert and the Diamondbacks. Here are the match ups:
- Game #1 (5:10 PDT) – Ross vs. McCarthy
- Game #2 (6:40 PDT) – Stults vs. Miley
- Game #3 (6:40 PDT) – Stauffer vs. Anderson
Another opportunity for the Pads to get some W’s against a sub.500 team. With Quentin scheduled to be back in the lineup maybe the run production can increase if, god willing, he can stay on the field. Look forward to hopefully creating a recap for a winning series recap on Wednesday night.
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