Padres vs Nationals Game Recap: San Diego Comes Up Short in Pitcher’s Duel

Clayton Richard looked like a completely different pitcher than he did in his last start.  In Colorado, Richard got knocked around and had his worst start as a Padre.  Last night, he was dominant for six innings.  Unfortunately, so was the Nationals’ Gio Gonzalez.  Gonzalez had great movement and great control on his pitches and generally kept the Padres hitters off balance all game long.  Richard was finally dinged in the seventh inning when he gave up two runs which would prove to be the game winners as the Nats won 3-1.

After allowing just one hit through six innings, Clayton Richard gave up a lead-off double to former Padre Xavier Nady in the seventh.  He then walked Wilson Ramos.  After a sacrifice bunt, Chad Tracy singled home the two runs to give the Nationals the lead for good.

Richard’s final line was 6 1/3 innings pitched, three hits, and two runs allowed.  He also struck out six.

Gonzalez of the Nationals went six innings, allowed just two hits, didn’t give up a run, and struck out six.  The Nationals bullpen combined to pitch the final three innings giving up just one run to the Padres.

In the seventh, Cameron Maybin scored on an Andy Parrino single to centerfield.  It was all the Padres would get as they dropped their 13th game in this young season.

Bud Black was ejected earlier in the game when Clayton Richard was called for a balk.  Replays seemed to indicate it was a good pick-off move, but home plate umpire, Lance Barrett, called the balk.  Black went out to talk to his pitcher, catcher, and infielders.  He waited for Barrett to come break-up the meeting, then gave him an earful.  As Barrett was walking away, Black followed, continuing to explain his position.  That’s when Barrett tossed him.  It was Black’s second ejection this season, and his 15th ejection in his managerial career.

Tonight, Joe Wieland will take on Jordan Zimmerman.  Wieland is coming off his best pitching performance of his young career.  He bounced back nicely in his last start after getting knocked around in his debut.  Game time is at 3:35 PT.

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