Padres End 5-game Losing Streak, Beat Mets 5-0

Jun 14, 2014; New York, NY, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jesse Hahn (45) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY SportsSan Diego Padre

Things worked out better for Jesse Hahn the second time around. After making his MLB  debut on June 2nd, allowing 4 runs in 3 2/3 innings, Hahn came out strong on Saturday. The right-hander threw six scoreless innings against the Mets, striking out seven, while allowing only one hit in a 5-0 Padres win. The Padres’ bats, which have been putrid as of late, stepped up in support of Hahn. Looking to break a five-game skid in which they scored a total of seven runs, San Diego came out swinging Saturday, taking the second game of a three-game series after dropping the first 6-2.

Facing Zach Wheeler, the Padres recorded two quick outs in the first, but after a a Seth Smith single up the middle, Chase Headley worked a walk to give Yonder Alonso a chance to put a run on the board early. Alonso delivered, doubling to center field, scoring Smith and moving Headley to third. Headley soon scored, as Wheeler threw a wild pitch that got past catcher Taylor Teagarden as the Padres took a 2-0 lead headed to the bottom of the first.

Hahn allowed a leadoff single to Ruben Tejada and a walk to David Wright but worked his way out of the inning unscathed. Neither team could muster up a hit in the second inning, and on to the third we went.

Everth Cabrera singled and subsequently stole second base, and Headley brought him home with a single to center. Headley tried to stretch it into a double but was thrown out at second. Nevertheless, the run scored and the Friars took a 3-0 lead.

After working another 1-2-3 inning in the third, Hahn found a way to contribute as a batter too. With Cameron Maybin on first base with two outs, the Mets decided to intentionally walk Alexi Amarista to bring Hahn to the plate. He made them pay for that decision, singling to left field to score Maybin from second as the Padres extended their lead to 4-0.

Hahn pitched two more scoreless innings, and after an inning of relief from Dale Thayer, Headley padded the lead in the 8th with a rocket home run to right-center. Joaquin Benoit tossed an inning of scoreless relief, setting up Huston Street for the close in the bottom of the 9th.

Street struck out Bobby Abreu swinging, and following a Lucas Duda single, struck out Chris Young looking. With Teagarden at the plate, Street ended the game as he got Teagarden to strike out swinging.

Having split the first two games of the series, the Padres and Mets get together again on Sunday for the rubber match at 10:10 am Pacific Time. Ian Kennedy will face off against Daisuke Matsuzaka.