Cabrera’s Hit Gives Padres Their Sixth Win In A Row

The big story going into Thursday night’s game was the return of Mat Latos. Latos was traded to Cincinnati, a trade that seemed unpopular at the time, but is looking better each day for the Padres. The players featured in that deal played prominent roles in the series opener.

Both Latos and Edinson Volquez were dominant, Yasmani Grandal had a triple in the ninth, and the Padres won their sixth in a row, beating Cincinnati 2-1.

Volquez got off to a rocky start, as he threw nearly 60 pitches after two innings. He escaped the first unscathed, allowing a hit and a walk.  The Reds scored their only run that inning, on an RBI triple from Chris Heisey.

Volquez looked like his old, dominant self. He was an All-Star in 2008 for the Reds, and he looked energized facing his old team. Volquez gave the Padres seven brilliant innings, allowing just one run on five hits. He struck out 10, and threw 127 pitches — a season-high.

Latos went seven shutout innings, and left the game with a 1-0 lead, and a chance for the victory against his former team. The Reds bullpen could not finish the game off.

Logan Forsythe led off the eighth, and slammed a Sean Marshall breaking-ball into the left field seats. It was his second of the year, and his  first career pinch-hit homer. The Padres weren’t done.

With the score tied in the bottom of the ninth, Yasmani Grandal led off the inning with a double. After an intentional walk to Yonder Alonso, Cameron Maybin reached on a bunt single. Everth Cabrera took the first pitch that he saw, and hit a deep fly ball to left that won the game for San Diego. The Padres improved their record to 34-50 with the win.