Padres Pound Out Series Win, Hit 6 HR’s

May 9, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko (9) watches a grand slam during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports=

So…when can we play the Marlins again? The Padres had the best offensive outburst of 2014 in the 4 game series with Miami. The Padres claimed the series 3 games to 1 after winning the Mother’s Day matinée 5-4.

The offense plated double-digit runs for the first time all season on Friday.In 3 of the 4 games, the Padres had double-digit hits as well. As a team, the Padres hit .299 and had 6 home runs in the series.

Ian Kennedy even got in on the action with his first career home run on Thursday. Collectively, the Friars also hit 14 extra base hits.

The story of the series was Seth Smith. His numbers were astounding: 9 hits (.500), 1 HR, 3 doubles, 2 triples and 7 RBI. He dazzled everyone on Saturday, flirting with the cycle. He ended up a single away from the first cycle in franchise history.

Carlos Marmol intentionally walked Seth Smith in the 6th after falling behind in the count, much to the chagrin of the home crowd, who booed loudly. That may have been the single he was missing. We will never know. The wait continues for that elusive feat.

Smith was not the only one who hit well during the series. Friday night was Jedd Gyorko night. He hit 2 HR’s, one a grand slam and drove in 6. All against 2013 Rookie of the Year Jose Fernandez.

Chase Headley added a 3-run bomb in his 3rd at-bat back from the disabled list. There was a Will Venable sighting on Sunday, when he lead off the bottom of the 1st with a line-drive home run, his first of the year. Yonder Alonso also seemed to break out of his funk, with 7 hits in the final 3 games.The Padres pounded out 25 runs in the series, while only allowing 11.

The starting pitching was stellar for San Diego as well. Ian Kennedy (2-4, 3.12 ERA) pitched brilliantly, but was let down by lack of run support. Kennedy pitched 7 innings, allowing only 1 run on 4 hits while striking out a career high 12 Marlins.

Tyson Ross (4-3, 3.02 ERA) had a similar line, allowing only 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 8 in 7 innings. Robbie Erlin (2-4, 4.22 ERA) pitched 6-plus innings of shutout ball and struck out 7.

The Padres finished the 10-game homestand an even 5-5. The player of the homestand was Jedd Gyorko, who pounded out 4 home runs and 10 RBI in the 10 games.

The Padres move to 18-21, and have won 3 straight for the first time all year. Now it is off to Cincinnati for the first stop of a 6-game road trip.