Padres Get Back to .500

Apr 19, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera (2) reacts after an RBI triple during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres improved to 9-9 with tonight’s victory over the San Francisco Giants, putting San Diego at .500 for the first time since they were 1-1. Also, this time last year the Padres were a lowly 5-13. Eric Stults pitched 6 brilliant innings, only allowing 3 hits, one run with 2 K’s. The bullpen pitched 3 innings only allowing one hit. The difference was the Everth Cabrera triple when he roped one past Angel Pagan in center field, driving in the go-ahead run in the 5th. The Friars added some insurance in the 8th on a perfectly executed suicide squeeze by Chris Denorfia.

The Padres scattered 9 hits, and continue to show life at the plate. Cabrera has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, he went 2 for 4 with that key RBI triple, a day after having his 9 game hitting streak snapped. He now has a .319 average, the best on the team. The Padres accomplished this with 2 of their best hitters still trying to rise above absolute zero (-460 degrees Fahrenheit) in Jedd Gyorko (.148) and Chase Headley (.182). If those two can turn it on, the Padres will get above .500 and stay there. Will Venable seems to be feeling better at the plate, he had 2 hits and a double tonight. He had 5 hits and 2 doubles this week.

The Padres go for the sweep on Sunday. Nothing would be better than to sweep the Giants and all their fans right out of Petco Park. Former Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum (0-1, 7.20 ERA) takes the hill for the Giants against the Padres’ young gun Robbie Erlin (1-1, 3.18 ERA). The Padres are also undefeated (3-0) wearing the camouflage uniforms this year. And no, I do not believe in jinxes.