Series Recap: Bats Subdued, Padres Swept

May 21, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) has a double play broken up by San Diego Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso (23) during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres (21-26) dropped the two-game series with the Minnesota Twins (23-21). The Twins took the finale 2-0 behind a great start by Phil Hughes. Tyson Ross really deserved to win that game, pitching 7 solid innings, only allowing one earned run and striking out 8. The Padres had 13 hits in the two games, but never could cash in when it mattered most. The team as a whole hit .200 and only mustered one extra base hit, a Chase Headley double in Game 1. That game was lost by a struggling Ian Kennedy, who surrendered 4 runs. That is 9 earned runs in his last two starts, which is a 6.64 ERA.

The player of the series offensively was Headley. He was 3-for-7 with a double and a run scored. The offense was otherwise punch-less. Seth Smith did continue his hot streak with 3 hits Wednesday night. He is hitting .433 in his last 10 games. The Twins just outhit the Padres, hitting 3 home runs in the 2 games. The Padres squandered every opportunity to score Wednesday night. 8 hits without a single extra base hit or run scored is hard to swallow.

The Padres’ struggles continue against the Twins, as they have now dropped 8 straight. They were also shut out for the 8th time this season, which is most in the majors. The team is now last in the major leagues in multiple offensive categories (runs scored, average, and on-base percentage). Perhaps their fortunes will change when they welcome the lowly Cubs into town Thursday in a rematch of the 1984 National League Championship Series.