Padres Week in Review: 6/2 – 6/8

Jun 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; The San Diego Padres celebrate with center fielder Cameron Maybin (24) after his walk off RBI single in the 11th inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Liu-USA TODAY Sports

This week, the Padres made moves for the future with the 2014 MLB First Year Players Draft.  They drafted Trea Turner first, who scouts regard highly, and seems to be a future catalyst for the organization. Matt Bush he is not, folks. In the second round, they drafted an outfielder, Michael Gettys with great power potential – and speed. Meanwhile last year’s first round draft pick Hunter Renfroe is tearing up Single-A pitching. Yes, it is easy to think about the future of what could be in the Padres’ lineup. Particularly when the current squad can’t seem to hit off a tee.

Monday they lost 10-3 to the Pirates. The Padres did not get a hit until the 5th inning. Tuesday they lost 4-1. Wednesday, they won the game somehow, but only managed one INFIELD single. Ouch.

The weekend against the Nationals proved to be even worse, with the Padres getting shut down two out of the three games. Sunday again they did not collect a hit until the 6th inning and Eric Stults failed to get out of the third inning.

In what could be a good sign as well, Jedd Gyorko was sent to the disabled list for plantar fasciitis, an injury that tends to linger, and is an important part of a right-handed hitter’s swing with his landing foot. The good part, is that hopefully he can take this time to heal, and come back better than ever. Also, it’s tough to think ANY replacement will be much worse than a .162 batting average. Certainly Gyorko is an important centerpiece to the future of the Padres, financially and other-wise.

Ian Kennedy continues to see his record slowly improve. He has pitched well this year, and his record is starting to more accurately reflect that. He has been steady and healthy all year, and a veteran in a mix of youth around him. Andrew Cashner also came back from injury this week, an important piece to the Padres contending this year as his replacements Tim Stauffer / Donn Roach just did not get it done.

All in all, it was a bad week, with the only positive being Cashner coming back and pitching well in the walk-off victory Saturday night.

Player of the Week:

Andrew Cashner.  Welcome back to the rotation! As Eric Stults continues to struggle, and no one really stepped up with the opportunity while Cashner was out, this team needed him.

Current record: 28-35

Standings: 14 GB from the Giants, now just 1 game ahead of last place Arizona.