After Promising Start, Padres Drop Series

Jun 21, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Dee Gordon (9) slides past San Diego Padres catcher Rene Rivera (44) to score in the third inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The series against the Dodgers (42-35) started off so well for the Padres (32-44), with a walk-off, comeback win in the bottom of the ninth. The Padres tried to do it again in Game 2 Saturday to no avail. Sunday, the Padres were held to just 4 hits by Hyun-Jin Ryu, who pitched 6 solid innings.

As a team, the Padres hit.216 in the series with 9 extra base hits. This is big improvement from the series against Seattle. It’s hard to argue with Seth Smith being the offensive player of the series. He had 3 hits, 2 of them monstrous home runs and a double. He also drew 3 walks in the 3 games. Also, props to Jake Goebbert getting his first major league hit and RBI in one swing on Friday.

One of the reasons for the series loss is the 4 errors on defense. That led to 2 unearned runs and kept innings going for the Dodgers. Another reason is the play of Dee Gordon and Hanley Ramirez. They combined for 6 hits, 4 RBI, 3 runs scored, and 2 stolen bases in the 2 Dodger wins.

Something has to be said about the way the Padres won on Friday night. Yes, they lost the next 2 games, but the win means something. The Padres were down 5-1 at one point Friday. With the help of Smith, Goebbert, Alexi Amarista, Will Venable, Carlos Quentin and Everth Cabrera, the Friars chipped away and made it happen in the bottom of the ninth against LA closer Kenley Jansen.

Eric Stults finally had a decent game, pitching 7 innings, only allowing 2 runs, while striking out 5. Tyson Ross had a very similar line on Saturday, 7 innings, 5 strikeouts, only walking one. The bullpen was once again stellar, pitching 8 innings, and only allowing one run. Had a couple more bounces gone the Padres’ way, they might have come out on top. They have to keep plugging along, even without a GM in office at the moment.