Bad Pitching Sinks Padres in Desert

May 27, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Tommy Medica (14) hits an RBI single during the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres (24-30) lost their series to the last place Arizona Diamondbacks (22-33) 2 games to 1. The finale was a disaster, including an 8-run first inning. Seven of those runs were charged to spot starter, Tim Stauffer (2-1, 4.50 ERA). The Padres eventually lost the finale 12-6. The only Padres’ pitcher to not surrender a run was Alex Torres. The main story of the finale was of course rookie Tommy Medica flirting with history, coming a single short of the Padres’ first cycle in team history.

Game 1 of the series was much of the same. Tyson Ross (5-4, 2.97 ERA) had an uncharacteristic outing, allowing 4 earned runs on 9 hits. In the 3 games, Ross, Stauffer and Eric Stults combined for 11.1 innings, 14 runs on 20 hits, 5 walks and 6 strikeouts. The starters had a combined ERA of 11.12.

The Padres’ offense was great. The team batted .295, collecting double-digit hits in each game. They were not just all singles either, as the Padres ripped 8 doubles, 1 triple and 4 home runs in the series. Had the Padres’ pitching been what it has been all year, the Padres could have swept this series. But, that’s baseball. Sometimes this is a cruel game.

I know I said in the series preview that if the Padres could score 15 runs in the series, they would win it. That was not the case because the pitching just was not what we have come to expect. Blame the hitter-friendly Chase Field if you want, but the Padres pitching wasn’t nearly this bad in Denver.

The player of this series is obviously Medica. Not only did he flirt with history Wednesday night, he also was 7-for-10 (.700) with 2 home runs, 2 doubles, a triple and  5 RBI with 4 runs scored in the series. Another notable performance was that of Everth Cabrera, who had 2 hits in each of the 3 games, with a home run, 2 doubles, 4 RBI and a stolen base.

The Padres once again need to sync up good pitching with this burst of offense they have experienced. Here’s hoping U.S. Cellular Field can be kind to the Padres this weekend in the Windy City.

Keep The Faith.