Padres Split Brief Series With Twins

Aug 5, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Seth Smith (12) hits a single in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

 Key Players of the Series

The top players for the Padres in this series were Yonder Alonso, Seth Smith and Alex Torres. Alonso went 6-for-8 in the series with a home run, RBI, two doubles and two runs scored as he seemingly broke out of his slump. Smith had one hit in Tuesday’s loss but had 2 big hits in Wednesday’s game. He hit his 23rd double of the year, driving in the Padres’ 2nd run of the game and setting up the rally to eventually tie it at 3-3. Then in the top of the 10th, he led off the inning with a mammoth home run, his team-leading 12th of the year. That put the Padres up 5-4 and that would eventually be the final score. Time and time again, Smith comes through big for the Padres when no one else can.

Alex Torres also was a key piece in the Padres extra-inning victory. He entered the game in a bit of a jam that Despaigne left behind in the 6th. He got out of that and then induced a nice double play in the 7th to get out of that jam. Without the clutch pitching of Torres, the Padres could have lost that game.