Padres’ Bats Stun The Visiting Cardinals, Friars Win 3-1

Yes, you read that correctly. Two whole runs! And only one of them was unearned!

Tyson Ross took the mound tonight against Lance Lynn, and while both have reputations for being excellent pitchers, neither quite lived up to the billing tonight. Ross was good enough to get a dubya and only allow one run, but he had no control on his pitches tonight. He looked very different from inning to inning, and seemed to struggle to find any consistent release point. But thanks to good defense and timely pitches, Ross lowered his July ERA down to just 1.10 over six starts. If that isn’t immediately the best right handed pitcher to be had at the trading deadline, I have no clue who else would be. He just would have to actually be available.

In the third inning, Kolten Wong fielded a routine grounder by Rene Rivera, planted, set up, and then threw it about 15 feet high. After a productive out, Alexi Amarista managed to bring him in with a sac fly. Unfortunately, Ross had the nerve to not pitch a shutout, and allowed a sac fly of his own to tie the game up.

The bottom of the six started with two walks, creating some idea of a “rally” that this offense isn’t used to whatsoever. Will Venable tried his best to keep hopes down by popping out a bunt attempt, then Yonder Alonso followed suit by flying out. Then here comes high and mighty Jedd Gyorko, working on a nice 164/214/271 triple slash the season after signing a long term extension. And of course he struck ou… wait what? He didn’t? Oh, he drove the winning run in! Thanks to a hard hit ball through the left side, Yangervis Solarte was able to score all the way from second to give us a lead that would stick.

In the seventh inning Solarte tacked on another run, this time in a more efficient manner by just swatting a pitch from Jason Motte over the right field wall.

A good overall win for the team. Fans are really started to get behind Solarte, even though he’s starting to look like the kind of guy who starts well then fades. Regardless, his mix of – well, offensive ability is new and exciting. It’s great to have a player who’s playing with such heart, even after going from a contender to a pretender.

The series continues tomorrow night at the same place, and the same time, and different starters because it would be silly to use Ross and Lynn again.