Padres edged by Dodgers

Jun 3, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko (9) throws to first as Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) is out on a double play in the first inning of the game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Stults goes 7 IP, giving up 2 ER on solo home run shots, striking out 3 and giving up no walks.  Stults made 90 pitches, throwing 52.2% fastballs, 17.8% change ups, 15.6% curve balls, and 14.4% sliders.  A solid line, but unfortunately it came on a day when the Padres hitters were unable to string together the hits.  The Padres out hit the Dodgers but stranded 12 base runners.  Padres hitters were able to stress the Dodger bullpen late by getting runners on in the 8th and 9th but lose the game nonetheless.  Stults drops to 4-5 on the road at Dodger stadium, although he was able to lower his ERA to 3.74.

Carlos Quentin, who in the previous series against the Blue Jays was hit by pitches, made diving catches, and went into the wall yesterday was held out of the game with a sore shoulder.  I am curious to see what happens when he makes his debut as well as the fan reaction.  I’m expecting hostility from the crowds.

Dodger prospect Yaisel Puig (pronounced Pweeg) makes his debut and get 2 hits, as well as a timely and painful outfield assist, doubling off Chris Denorfia in the 9th.  Padre prospect Jedd Gyorko (Jerko) also has a name that is commonly mispronounced on paper – leading me to believe that the secret to baseball stardom is an unusual name!  Incidentally, Jedd Gyorko is quietly putting together a solid season.  He is currently leading all MLB Rookies in Hits (55), AB (201), R (30), BB (18).  He is 2nd in 2B (14), HR (6), RBI (22).

Altogether, it pains me to see any win by the Dodgers, much less a win against the Padres.  I have faith that Padres will come around to win the series.  Saw 3 games with Yasmani Grandal in the fold, and he is hitting the ball well with good contact, although no end results yet.  However, his body language does slump a bit when his deeply hit balls fall short of the warning track.  I imagine there’s a lot of pressure on himself to do well.  Just be yourself and the hits will fall if the swing is good.