Gyorko & Amarista Supply the Power as Padres Beat Mariners

Gyorko hit a two-run home run tonight. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Now that’s more like it.

After they were shut-out by Aaron Harang on Monday night, San Diego’s hitters responded in a big way this evening as the Padres defeated the Mariners by a score of 6-1.

Although the bats woke up tonight, credit must go to Edinson Volquez for a job well done on the mound.  The veteran starter gave up only one run and four hits as he pitched 7.2 strong innings to secure his fourth win of the season.  Eddie struck out five on the evening, and the right-hander definitely settled down after the second inning when he gave up two of his three walks and the lone Seattle run.

The offensive production was spread around as each of San Diego’s starters outside of Everth Cabrera recorded at least one hit.  Jedd Gyorko and Alexi Amarista both provided one home run apiece, and Carlos Quentin continued his hot hitting as he logged another two hit performance.

After they faced a 1-0 deficit after the second inning, the Friars responded to score the game’s final six runs during the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.  San Diego eventually put the game away in the top of the sixth when they put up three runs to take a commanding 6-1 lead.  A Mark Kotsay single plated two, and then the other run scored on a fielding error off of Chris Denorfia’s bat.

While he wasn’t necessarily the game’s MVP, I should mention that Yasmani Grandal’s return was also a welcome sight too.  The catcher made his 2013 regular season debut with the Friars after he served his PED suspension, and Grandal turned in a 1-4 night at the plate.  How much playing time that Grandal will receive over the next couple of months will definitely be an intriguing thing to watch for, and the Padres can always use a switch-hitting bat with power to help bolster the middle of their lineup.

Grandal’s 2013 future aside, it was nice to see the Friars snag another road win.  The team did a solid job of limiting their mistakes, and it was fun to watch Gyorko and Amarista flexing their power muscles as well.  Tomorrow, both teams will travel south to Petco Park play the first of another two-game series against each other.  I for one am excited to watch the Andrew Cashner vs. Felix Hernandez showdown on Thursday afternoon, and I am definitely intrigued to see if the Padres offense can be boosted even more with the addition of Grandal.