Padres Week in Review: 8/18 – 8/24

Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Diamondbacks Series Recap

Friday saw the Padres head to the desert. In game 1, it was Despaigne who allowed 4 runs in the first inning. He has now gone 1-4 with a 5.81 ERA in his last six starts after starting 2-1 with a 1.31 ERA his first 5. The Padres only managed 4 hits and 1 run against Josh Collmenter and the D’backs won 5-1, also thanks to 2 Padres errors. Despaigne still seems to have good “stuff”, just making mistakes that he wasn’t making early on or perhaps just getting a little unlucky. Without plus pitches or superior velocity, control and movement is critical. Perhaps Stultzie can give him a few pointers. They would lose 5-1.

The Padres wouldn’t have much more success Saturday night either, as Andrew Cashner returned to the rotation and battled nicely through five innings, thanks in large part to several sparkling defensive plays from Chris Nelson and Rymer Liriano. It was good to get Cashner back, but while many predicted 2014 would be a breakout year for him – he ended up with far more time on the disabled list than an ace should. Padres fans can only hope the rest will help him down the road. The game was tied after a great performance from Vidal Nuno of the D’backs until Kevin Quackenbush served up a three run home run in the 8th and the Padres lost 5-2.

Sunday the Padres got off to an early lead and then watched the D’backs whittle the lead away to get it within 5-3. Then Will Venable hit a home run in the 8th to give the 7-3 lead the bullpen would not relinquish.