Padres Game Recap – Apr. 19, 2015

Wow, another exciting game to wrap up what was one of the most interesting series I’ve seen in a long time! Fortunately the Padres once again found a way to come out on top despite trying to shoot themselves in the foot early, with the final being 5-2.

We’ve had plenty of reason already this season to talk about defensive lapses that have reared their ugly heads, and today the breakdown took place in the first inning.  After allowing back to back singles to open the inning, Cashner retired the next two batters. Then with two outs a slow roller to shortstop should have been the final out…but it didn’t go that way. Barmes appeared to rush a little making an off balance throw that sailed towards the home plate side of first base forcing Solarte to have to reach to his left to make the catch…except that he didn’t make the catch.  The ball just hit the tip of his mitt and fell to the ground.  Poor throw, unexplainable non catch, and a run was in with the inning still alive.  Cash then allowed another single to plate another run and extend the inning.

It was at this point that Buddy had seen enough and made a trip to the mound.  Buddy rarely does this, but when he does it’s usually a “Come to Jesus” meeting to remind people that it’s time to get their $&%* together and start playing some ball. He usually makes it pointed yet still with a positive tilt so as to motivate, not tear down.  Cash got out of the inning with no further damage, other than 2 unearned runs and 10 extra pitches thrown due to that one start to finish sloppy play.  Cash, by the way, has now had 7 unearned runs cross in his first three games.  The fellas need to start picking this brother up and making some routine plays behind him. Don’t want him going postal Texas style on anybody.  Remember this is a guy who spent his childhood castrating bulls, so we don’t want him losing his cool.

The fun thing is, despite the frustration of handing over free runs, this offense is so potent that you know that in no way is that likely the end of the story.  The come back kids did not disappoint. The next half inning Norris singled setting the table for Middle brooks to tie it up with one fell swing. The first pitch to him though was a bit low yet called  strike.  Buddy having already established that he was going to hold his players accountable for their play on the day, was also going to keep the umpires on their game and let home ump James Hoye know of his displeasure with the call.  Hoye had the rabbit ears going, and was apparently in no mood to be challenged and ejected Buddy from the Pads dugout and the ballgame.  Buddy’s point was made though, and the troops were apparently motivated as two pitches later Middlebrooks connected with a Lester offering pulling it into the construction quarantined left field bleachers for his 3rd long ball of the season to tie the game 2-2.  Some good Padres fireworks!

With the game again tied, Cashner hit the reset button as did the defense behind him and he pitched effectively for the next 5 innings.  He again did not have the best fastball command that he can have, but like last time used his change up very effectively to keep the Cubs batters off balance, and got stronger as the game went on.

The score remained tied until the 6th when Kemp lead off the inning with a walk. Norris then singled him into scoring position, and with two outs Venable stepped up as the hero of the day singling in Kemp for the go ahead run.  The Friars were not done with the power game yet though as in the 7th Solarte, after falling behind in the count and fouling off 5 pitches to stay alive, got a hold of one to send a towering home run down the right field line for a two run blast extending the lead to 5-2.

Having used up lot of bullets in the extended first Cash’s pitch count caught up with him after 6.  With Kimbrel and Thayer down for the day it was up to first Maurer and then Kelley to hold the lead and get the ball to Benoit, and they both effectively did just that.  Benny saw the tying run come to the plate, but finished him off with a K to notch his first save of the season and seal the W and the series victory.

It was really a fun series because of so many different events taking place.  Over the three games we saw…

• An MLB stadium under construction such that the entire outfield bleachers were vacant…except for 15 construction workers, of which only two were ever seen actually moving or doing anything constructive.
• 5 Padres home runs, accounting for 11 of the 16 runs they scored.
• A ball caught in the dead ivy vines that was totally visible, yet per the rules deemed unplayable.  It then remained sitting exposed in the brown branches for the remainder of the game…the visible “invisible” ball just sat there…all game…huh….
• Both managers being ejected for vehemently arguing balls and strikes.
• A player making his MLB debut receiving 3 standing ovations, and his first “You suck” all before getting his first MLB hit.
• A ball getting stuck in the fingers of pitcher’s glove on a hard come backer to the point where he had to throw his entire glove with the imbedded ball to the first baseman to record the out. Oh, and the first baseman dropping his glove entirely to catch the glove/ball being tossed to him…wha..?

Fun weekend, with a series win and Hoffman Happy Flight to put a bright, shiny bow on it all.

The team has already arrived in Colorado at the airport located in no man’s land (but undoubtedly on land owned by the Mayor, and select friends and family), and is settling in for a good nights sleep. Tomorrow it will be Despaigne’s turn to toe the slab. First pitch is at 5:40 (PST).  Hope you’ll join the voice of Padres baseball, Mr. Ted Leitner, and myself for the broadcast on the Mighty 1090.

‘Night y’all!

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