Padres Reeling, Lose Series to Mets

Jun 13, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets right fielder

(53) scores a run in front of San Diego Padres starting pitcher

(34) during the second inning of a game at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Padres 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres (29-40) dropped yet another series, this time to the New York Mets (31-38). Things are not going right. The Friars dropped the finale 3-1 after an impressive 8-inning performance by the Mets bullpen, after Daisuke Matsuzaka left after 1 inning.

The Padres had 6 extra base hits all series and hit .195 as a team. The pitching, aside from Jesse Hahn‘s 6 inning masterpiece Saturday, was also shaky. The two other starters Andrew Cashner and Ian Kennedy combined for a 5.56 ERA with 6 walks. Nothing seems to be going right for San Diego. The Padres lead the majors with 21 games of scoring one run or less this year. The Padres average 1.7 runs per game in the 40 losses this season.

One of the main culprits in the series loss was the hitting ofLucas Duda, who had 5 hits in the series. Also, Bartolo Colon continues to defy “father time”, striking out 7 in 7.1 innings Friday. The Padres hitting was spotty. A bright spot was Yonder Alonso, who had 4 hits including 2 doubles and now has a 4-game hitting streak.

Ian Kennedy really has pitched better than his 5-8 record indicates. He has an honorable 3.72 ERA and he is 11th in the MLB with 98 strikeouts. He should be the least of San Diego’s worries moving forward. With their record now at 1-5 for the road trip and a 2-7 record in their last 9 games, many ask how much longer do we wait? What changes should be made and when? Who’s fault is this?

Bud Black may be coaching for his job against the Mariners this week. Many others could be playing for theirs. Changes need to be made to get out of this tug-of-war for last place with the Diamondbacks.