Carlos Quentin hits home run in return, Padres lose 3-2

May 18, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Carlos Quentin (18) heads past second after a double by second baseman Jedd Gyorko (not pictured) in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The bullpen was perfect, the fielding was great, the pinch hitting was spectacular, but the offense was stagnant as the Padres fell to the Cubs 3-2.

Everything started to go south with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Yasmani Grandal struck out looking with Carlos Quentin on deck ready to pinch hit for starting pitcher Billy Buckner.

Buckner came back for the sixth inning and gave up a solo home run to Luis Valbuena, and an RBI single to starting pitcher Travis Wood. Nick Vincent came in to get the final out of the inning, but the damage was done with the Padres down 3-0.

Bud Black’s decision to leave Buckner in was questionable, but 5.2 innings of three-run ball from a pitcher who was just called up is respectable. In addition, the Padres have a shutdown bullpen, which was perfect over 3.1 innings tonight.

Travis Woods’ only mistake all night was thinking he could pitch to Carlos Quentin with one out and one on in the eighth inning. Quentin pinch hit for Alex Torres, and absolutely crushed the second pitch into the left field seats to make it a 3-2 ballgame.  However, the Friars were unable to capitalize on Quentin’s late game HR.

The Padres will look to even up the four-game series tomorrow as Ian Kennedy goes against Jason Hammel at 1:10 pm.

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