Padres News: Andrew Cashner’s Season Rolling Downhill Fast

By Daryll Dorman | Jun 18, 2015

Andrew Cashner and the San Diego Padres were really hoping that 2014 was the year he would become THE ace of the team. It had started well enough as he shut down the Dodgers on Opening Day with a victory. He battled several injuries throughout the year but finished strong including a 1 hit complete game shutout of the Tigers late in the season.

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As the Padres picked up James Shields in free agency, he was seen as the new ace of the team and there were hopes that not only would Shields be able to mentor Cashner and show him how it’s done in regards to being an ace, that he would take some pressure off of Cashner and allow him to thrive this season. Turns out that hasn’t happened much either.

While he started out the year picking up losses, it was blamed on unearned runs and poor run support. In fact he has allowed 13 unearned runs on the year and so that does ring true. However, in his last three starts in 17 IP he has allowed 16 ER in ratcheting up an MLB worst 8 losses with just 2 wins to show for it as detailed by Jeff Sanders.

He has not made a start all season where he hasn’t allowed any runs despite three starts of allowing 0 earned runs, the opposition has scored 7 runs in those three starts. A big part of this season struggles has been the longball, as he has already allowed 13 home runs and at least 1 in 9 of his last 11 starts. Ouch. Not to mention his opening week start where Adrian Gonzalez alone hit three against him.

Keep in mind last season he made 19 total starts and has already made 14 this season – so that is the good news. The bad news is last year he allowed 7 home runs total and 35 ER in those 19 starts and 123 innings. This year in just the 14 starts and 85 IP he has allowed 14 HR and 42 ER. Not where you want to be setting career highs.

As the Padres continue to struggle to find offensive and pitching consistency, a resurgence of Andrew Cashner would go a long way in bringing it back. Will it be in time for the Padres to make a move in the NL West and Wild Card push?

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