Week That Was…Never Supposed to Happen

Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals Recap

 The Padres traveled to St. Louis knowing that at worst, they needed to get a split with the Cardinals. The fight was evident in the series opener Thursday as they clawed their way back into the game and appeared to have tied it in the 9th when Alexi Amarista came running home…but he was called out. Even after instant replay which did not show conclusively he was tagged in my opinion – the play stood and Tommy Medica struck out to end the game. A tough loss that would’ve put the Padres within 5.5 games of the second wild card spot.

Friday it was staff ace Tyson Ross (You didn’t think it was still Andrew Cashner did you?) the Friars turned to right the ship again and start another winning streak. Well, the night certainly did not start out right, with the bases being loaded before an out was recorded. Two of those runs scored, before Ross would settle down and only allow one more run through 6 innings – his 11st straight quality start. Unfortunately Lance Lynn was on this night, and the Cardinals won 4-2.

Saturday, the Padres found themselves down by 4 after 2 innings and needing to fight back once more. Early in the season, I say they lose this game 4-0. This bunch however bounced back, charging back with 4 of their own in the 3rd and loading the bases in the 7th down 5-4. Then Jedd Gyorko uncorked a grand slam to put the Padres on top for good. Once again, credit the bullpen for 3 1/3 innings of allowing no runs. Alex Torres got the last out of the 6th to pick up his second win of the season. Nick Vincent pitched a scoreless 7th to collect his 11th hold on the year.

Sunday, the Padres had a chance to collect a series split, but AGAIN got into an early hole and down 5-0 after 2 innings. Yet again they fought back with two in the 5th, 2 in the 6th to pull within 1 before Tim Stauffer allowed two more in the bottom half. Matt Carpenter went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored for the Redbirds. In the 9th, the Padres showed patience as closer Trevor Rosenthal had trouble finding the strike zone. A bases loaded single by Solarte got the go-ahead run on first base with only 1 out. Up came the Padres best hitter this season Seth Smith. Alas, he grounded out and though it did advance the runners and put the go-ahead run on 2nd, Yasmani Grandal flied out to end the game and the threat. St. Louis now has a 1.5 lead for the top wild card spot and still just 3 back of the Brewers in the NL Central.