Padres Game Recap – May 4, 2015

Too much Bumgarner, and too little doing the little things result in the Pads falling to the Giants 2-0.  Despite 4 SF errors, the Friars were unable to take advantage and in a 2-run game every little thing matters.

Bumgarner was not his sharpest early in the game but the Pads ran themselves out of an opportunity early.  Myers was able to reach base on a bungled grounder to third that put him at second with no outs.  On a ground ball in front of him, however, instead of holding his position he tried to advance to third and was easily thrown out at third. No one knew that it would end up being a potentially important play, but in MLB you never know when the turning point may be, or the littlest of plays become more relevant. Against Bumgarner every scoring opportunity is vital, and that one was given away.

Tyson Ross was not his sharpest early on either, struggling early to find either his fastball or his slider that he could command.  Despite his challenges he was able to wiggle out trouble the first two innings, stranding a runner is scoring position in the first, and leaving runners at 2nd and 3rd with no outs standing in place for the final out of the second. It caught up to him in the third though, as he allowed 1B, BB, 1B, BB plating a run before recording an out.  He would then issue another free pass to force in the second run to make it 2-0.  He worked out of the jam to prevent further damage, but S.F. it would turn out already had all it needed. Tyson again stranded runners the 4th, then settled down after that retiring the final 10 batters he faced.

Bumgarner, meanwhile, got stronger and stronger as the night went on, and he carried a no hitter not the 7th before Upton broke it up with a single and Solarte followed with one of his own.  The rally ended there though, as the next three batters were retired in order.  His night ended by helping a career begin, facing Austin Hedges in his MLB debut and striking the youngster out on two cut fastballs, and a curveball the likes of which he probably hasn’t seen too much in his relatively brief minor league career. It can probably only getter easier for Austin from here on out.

The Pads were again allowed a chance to tie it with a dropped ball at first on a come backer to the mound,  but again they couldn’t capitalize and their three game winning streak was snapped.

Bottom line not the sharpest or headiest played game by either club, and one the Pads could have done more to help themselves win.  It’s water under the bridge now though, so nothing else to do but come back tomorrow and do the little things to give yourself the edge.  Cashner to the hill for the Friars against Vogelsong, with the first pitch scheduled to be fired at 7:15.  Looking forward to you joining Ted Leitner and me for all the fun on the Mighty 1090.

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