Latos leads team to victory

San Diego Padres 3 – St Louis Cardinals 1

The Padres had stumbled in the last 5 games and were desperately looking for a victory. Mat Latos took the hill and pitched spectacular this afternoon. He pitched 8 innings and struck out 7 and only gave up a run to get his second win of the season. The team really needed a performance like that from the kid to stop the losing streak.

Brad Hawpe continued his hot hitting with a home run in his first at bat. The Padres were able to take the lead in the bottom of the 8th with some 2-out thunder. Jason Bartlett started it off with a 2-out bunt single and Chase Headley followed it up with a double to bring him home. Ryan Ludwick then singled to bring in Headley and make it a 3-1 game.

Heath Bell came in to close out the game in the ninth and picked up his 10th save of the season.

Game Notes:

Heath Bell had his first save opportunity in 11 days.

Heath Bell pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for 10th save in 11 tries.

Mat Latos‘ final line: 8 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 7 K’s, 94 P.

Mat Latos improves to 2-6 and lowered ERA from 4.60 to 4.08.

Orlando Hudson left the game with a left groin strain.

Blake Tekotte made his major league debut and lined out to right field.

Bottom of the 6th, Jason Bartlett led off the inning with a triple and did not score. Headley grounded out to the 3rd baseman, then Ludwick hit a comebacker to the pitcher. Bartlett was out in a pickle and Ludwick was thrown out at 2nd. Terrible baserunning!

With his first-inning homer, Brad Hawpe has a .969 OPS in May. Has 4 homers, 11 RBIs in 71 at-bats.

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