Padres Game Recap – July 17, 2015

Now that’s the way the Padres formula is supposed to work tonight!  Some thump from the middle of the lineup, enough starting pitching to hold the lead, then hand it over to the lock down bullpen for a 4-2 win over the Rockies.

The power game showed up early for the Friar offense with Kemp hitting a solo blast to the second deck in left, on a back door cutter in the 1st off De La Rosa.  Upton reached on a catcher’s interference, then Gyorko drove a fastball over the center field fence to give Shields a 3-0 lead.

Shields, for his part, was not his sharpest, but as usual still managed to survive.  He allowed seven hits, and walked four, but bobbed and weaved his way through five to allow only one run.  He had runners on base in every inning, and escaped a first and third jam in the 5th with a well executed pick off to third to get the runner at first hung up for the final out.  By the time the inning was over he was at 100 pitches and his night was over.

Mateo posted a clean 6th. Maurer was not as sharp in his 7th, as he allowed a couple of hits and a walk which lead to an unearned run with the help of an error on a Norris throw down to second.  However, he held the 3-2 lead though with an inning ending double play. Benoit then pitched a scoreless eighth.

The power game was not over for the Pads as Upton chimed in after his All-Star appearance, hitting a no-doubter solo shot into the second deck of left field to join Kemp’s earlier blast. Pads up 4-2.

Finally it was time to hear the stadium rock to Welcome To The Jungle as Kimbrel came on for the save amidst flames throughout the stadium.  It was the first time fans had seen the closer’s high energy entrance theme since June 26th.  He did not disappoint retiring all three batters he faced to lock down the Father’s third consecutive win and his 24th save of the season.

Solid game for the Pads all around, and a fun way to welcome in the second half.

Some more good news was the unveiling of the Padres 2016 All-Star logo, and the official commencement of preparations for the city of San Diego and Petco Park to host the midsummer classic for 2016. Should be  great event!

Some mixed news was the announcement that Cory Luebke had yet another surgery on his left arm.  This time to remove scar tissue that was putting pressure on the ulnar nerve.  Obviously no surgery is good news, however there was optimism in the fact that the twice replaced ligament appeared to be doing fine. If all goes well he should be throwing again in 4-6 weeks.

Tomorrow they will look to tie their season long winning streak of four games.  Ross will go to the hill with a 5:40 Baseball Night In San Diego first pitch.  Look forward to having you join Ted Leitner and me for the call on the mighty 1090.

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