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Padres Week in Review: April 27th-May 3rd.

By Daryll Dorman |
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The Padres wore the brown uniforms Wednesday, but it did not help get a victory. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Introduction

Well last week did not go so well for the San Diego Padres or my predictions for their week. I predicted 5-1. They did manage to salvage the week and go 3-3 after a disastrous start and getting swept by the Astros. The bullpen continues to be their Achilles heel but the offense continues to drive in runs and in my opinion they are playing better than their record shows.

Andrew Cashner and James Shields are leading the starting rotation, while Ian Kennedy continued his return to the rotation with a win this time. Odrisamer Despaigne had his first rough outing of the week and Tyson Ross struggled some with control which is limiting how deep he goes into games.

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The Padres are doing a lot of things right – and all the “new guys” save Will Middlebrooks are producing at the plate. They just pulled up top prospect Austin Hedges which means either they just want to pepper him into the major leagues or perhaps, like always, Preller is up to something? It would make sense if incumbent catcher Derek Norris was struggling, but as you will say that is far from the case. Read on for a recap of how the Padres did against the Astros and the Rockies as well as who wins this week’s Friar of the Week and a preview of the week ahead!

Next: Astros Series Recap

The Astros showed their power against the Padres. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Astros Series Recap

 This whole slide could be summed up in one word: sloppy. The Astros scored 30 runs in 3 days – but that does not tell the whole story. The Astros sent Colin McHugh to the bump against Padres ace James Shields and the two left the game after 6 with the game tied at 3. Shields struck out 12 and only allowed 1 earned run. However, when the bullpens came out that is when the game changed. Joaquin Benoit failed to record an out in the 8th and allowed 3 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. The Astros bullpen did not falter and the Astros won the game 9-4. Yangervis Solarte had a great game going 3-4 as he continues to force Bud Black to keep him in the lineup any way possible. His defense has also been solidified with the additional playing time.

The second game wasn’t much prettier. The Astros big bashers all contributed with home runs from George Springer, Evan Gattis, and Chris Carter. Tyson Ross did well enough, allowing 4 earned runs in 5 innings before Odrisamer Despaigne had his worst appearance of the year allowing 4 runs in an inning and upping his ERA to 2.95. The Astros scored 10 runs in the final four innings alone. Solarte had another multi-hit effort with two hits and 2 walks to go with it. Jose Altuve had 4 hits on the evening while Luis Valbuena scored 4 runs for the Astros. Final score: Astros 14, Padres 3.

For the finale, most people realized by this time that these Astros have taken a big jump over the off-season and are ready to compete in the AL West. Unfortunately Dallas Keuchel was pitching for the Astros and had only allowed 2 runs coming in. Well, the Padres did get 1 run off of him, but that was all as he pitched 8 innings and only allowed 3 total hits with 0 walks. Andrew Cashner seems to be the early season tough luck loser for the Padres falling to 1-4 despite only allowing 2 earned runs and 3 total. Amazingly, he has allowed 8 unearned runs and 9 earned runs on the year. He has struck out 36 while walking only 8 in his 31 IP so far. Sadly pitching well doesn’t count in the win column and the Padres lost the game 7-2 after it was Craig Kimbrel‘s turn to blow up in the bullpen this time allowing 3 runs and just getting one out. All in all it was not a good series for the Padres but a very good one for the Astros, the latest team to show that you can certainly score runs in Petco Park.

Next: Colorado Rockies Series Recap

One of those weekends for the Rockies in San Diego. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado Rockies Series Recap

The Padres entered Friday’s series against the Rockies in a funk. Friday they broke out in a big way. The Rockies entered the series just over .500 and fell below it for the first time all season. They might have some trouble getting back there unless their pitching staff can step up. Don’t we say this every year?

The Padres started things off quietly enough with a run in the bottom of the first and held scoreless for the next two innings. Then in the fourth they picked up 4 runs in part to three errors by the Rockies including the great Troy Tulowitzki. Ian Kennedy pitched six strong innings for his first win of the season and the Padres uncorked for 8 runs in the 8th to seal the deal with a 14-3 win. Top offensive performers for the Padres were Justin Upton, Derek Norris and Yonder Alonso with three hits each, and Yangervis Solarte had 4 RBI.

Saturday saw Brandon Morrow deliver yet another strong start to improve to 2-0 on the young season allowing 2 ER in 6 IP which actually raised his ERA to 2.73. Brandon Maurer and Kimbrel pitched 3 innings of hitless relief to close out the 4-2 victory for the Padres. Justin Upton drove in 2 along with Kemp and Wil Myers who are all fighting for the team RBI lead. Yes, the leadoff hitter Wil Myers.

The series finale was played Sunday afternoon on a typical beautiful day in San Diego. The game turned into a back-and-forth affair as Charlie Blackmon and Justin Upton traded home runs in the first inning. Luckily the Padres had Matt Kemp on base and so were up 2-1. Starter James Shields righted the ship for two innings before a Nolan Arenado home run in the 4th and a Michael McKenry double. Once again though the Padres struck back in the bottom half giving the 34,000+ attendees at Petco Park something to cheer for! This time Derek Norris homered in Justin Upton and the decisive blow was actually a Jedd Gyorko pinch-hit homer in the sixth inning. Craig Kimbrel allowed another home run in the ninth to Blackmon before settling down for his 8th save in 8 chances. That doesn’t mean though he isn’t struggling. Final score was Padres 8, Rockies 6.

Next: Friar of the Week

May 3, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Derek Norris (3) hits a two run home run during the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Friar of the Week

 This week was pretty tough to choose from because of the up and down of the week. That said, I have to give it to catcher Derek Norris. Norris in the last week hit .368 with 5 RBI. Justin Upton was right with him and did have the two home runs to go with it has caught 10 of 17 would be base-stealers. That after the biggest knock on his game was base stealers after the Royals ran wild last year in the one game playoff. He has certainly responded and now is being asked to mentor catcher Austin Hedges who just got called up Sunday night.

It will be interesting how Norris responds and just how often Hedges will play for the Padres. Norris now sits second on the team in batting average just behind Yonder Alonso at .330. He has played well behind the plate and called good games for his pitchers. He is still young and has room to grow but has been a welcome addition to finally have a hitting catcher for the Padres.

Norris has also played in 26 of the Padres 27 games counting Monday night, a sign of durability and consistency at the most physically demanding position in baseball. Well done Derek, and congratulations on being this week’s Friar of the Week!

Next: Week Ahead Preview

Apr 18, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) holds onto a World Series trophy during the 2014 World Championship Ring Ceremony before the start of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Padres Week Ahead

The Padres head to San Francisco Monday night to take on Madison Bumgarmer and the 2014 World Champion San Francisco Giants. The Padres counter with Tyson Ross who looks to go past the 6th inning for the first time this season. Tuesday night Andrew Cashner goes against struggling Ryan Vogelsong. The Giants are not off to a great start to their title defense after losing some offensive keys in the off-season like Michael Morse and Pablo Sandoval. On top of that, RF Hunter Pence is still on the disable list which doesn’t help things. Angel Pagan has hit very well for them, but just singles isn’t very effective when your pitching staff is also shaken up with Matt Cain on the disabled list again. MadGum has been about the only bright spot for this team so far.

After the three game set in San Fran, they head to the desert for 4 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. They took 2 of 3 from the Snakes in April and look to duplicate that success over four games this time.

Current Record: 14-12

Current Standings: 2.5 GB Dodgers

Prediction: 5-2

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