The Week That Was For The Padres: Changes Begin, a Series Victory

Jul 20, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne (40) pitches against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres didn’t play much baseball this week, but it still turned out to be an eventful week. Two Padres were at the All-Star Game, though neither one pitched. By the end of the week, one wasn’t even a Padre anymore. Yes, while Tyson Ross made his presence felt both the Sunday before the All-Star Game and the Friday night after it, Huston Street made the team and despite not pitching, was traded to the Angels by week’s end for a couple of high-end prospects that Friars on Base is very excited about.

When the Padres did get back to baseball, they took care of business, taking two out of three against the New York Mets, and coming within four outs of the first Padres’ no-hitter in history. Odrisamer Despaigne pitched outstanding AGAIN on Sunday, then almost lost the game before the Padres pulled one out in the bottom of the ninth to give newly appointed closer Joaquin Benoit a win on Sunday. How long will he be a Padre for?

For the first two games of the series though – don’t blame the offense. Friday night the Padres rallied from 4 down to tie the game before Benoit lost the game in the 9th. The middle infield contributed in that one with Alexi Amarista going 3 for 4 and newcomer Chris Nelson going 2 for 4 to pace the Padres.

In Saturday’s game, Yasmani Grandal continued his strong month with another home run and going 2 for 4, while Chase Headley mirrored that line and continues to get looks from the Yankees and Blue Jays. With Tyson Ross pitching that one too, it was over as soon as the Padres got to 3.

In the GM search, three candidates are coming back for second interviews, with hopes that a new member of the Padres front office will be in place by mid-August. Meanwhile, the trade deadline still looms large with less than two weeks to go. Who will stay? Who will go?

Player of the Week:

Odrisamer Despaigne. The Cuban right-hander deserved a win after pitching within 4 outs of the first Padres no-hitter, but such is baseball. Still, he is 2-1 with a 1.31 ERA on the season in 5 games pitched.

Current Record: 43-55

Standings: 3rd place, 11 GB LA/SF.