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

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