Padres Week in Review: May 4th-10th, Uneven Weeks Continue

May 8, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher

(left) celebrates with catcher

following the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Padres defeated the Diamondbacks 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Introduction

 The Padres took to the road this week, traveling for 3 games in San Francisco before a four game series against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix. As has been an early theme of the season, the team seems to be struggling to click on all cylinders more consistently. They lose one game 6-0, then the next day explode offensively and win 9-1 before losing again the next day 11-0. Finally Friday night they played a good old fashioned one run game. That is the Padres baseball we are used to, isn’t it? While another member of the starting rotation went to the DL in Brandon Morrow, the Padres hoped they still had a starter ready to step in and take his place.

More players seem to be trying their hand at first base, with Wil Myers getting a start there on Friday night with Yonder Alonso hurt. He is not to the DL list yet, but what would the plan be if that happens? Alonso has been a nice offensive surprise in the early going this season, and certainly we hope this hand injury does not hurt him the rest of the way in what was turning out to be a nice rebound season.

Last week I talked about how the bullpen was struggling, so I’ll take a look to see how the bullpen fared this week. We also got our first look at catcher Austin Hedges who was called up last weekend and saw some progress from Jedd Gyorko over the weekend.

While the Padres are still above .500, I would be curious what A.J. Preller thinks of Bud Black‘s managing. A questionable move came up in Sunday’s game that cost the Padres a golden opportunity to score with the bases loaded and down by 1 so I will discuss that as well and invite your feedback.

Next: Giants Series Recap

May 9, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher

(40) pitches during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Giants Series Recap

 The Padres took to the surging San Francisco Giants this week coming off a weekend sweep of their own of the Colorado Rockies. Any lingering offensive momentum was quickly swept away by 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner on the mound. He had a no-hitter through 6 and while the Giants were not able to pull off their third no-hitter of the Padres in 2 years(the other two by Tim Lincecum), the Giants were able to pull off the 2-0 victory thanks to RBI singles by Angel Pagan and Justin Maxwell. A very good start by Tyson Ross was wasted in the loss, as he went a season high 7 innings and only allowed two runs while striking out five. It was probably the best start Ross has turned in this season and good to see him going farther in a game and walking only 2. Unfortunately on this night it wasn’t enough.

The second game had the Padres heavily favored with Andrew Cashner opposing Ryan Vogelsong who has struggled early this year. It would be another game where Yangervis Solarte would contribue to unearned runs to Andrew Cashner. Cashner pitched 6 but allowed 6 runs (4 earned) with 2 walks. Ryan Vogelsong for the Giants had his best outing of the season, throwing 7 strong and allowing 0 runs and just three hits. Joe Panik hit a homer for the Giants and Brandon Crawford went 3-3 with a walk to pace the offense in the 6-0 Giants victory.

In the finale, the Padres found their bats that had been missing the first two games of the series. Jedd Gyorko doubled and had 2 RBI, Austin Hedges made his first career MLB start and got his first MLB hit and 2 RBI, and Wil Myers had a triple in going 3-6 to lead the Padres offensively as they pounded out their own lopsided victory 9-1. Ian Kennedy pitched 7 strong with Brandon Maurer and Rich Garces finishing things off for the Padres.

After a slow start, these Giants have come back on the season and this loss ended their 5 game winning streak. With Hunter Pence scheduled to come back soon, that will dramatically strengthen the lineup and they could make a play yet in the middling NL West.

Next: Diamondbacks Series Recap

May 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres outfielder

in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Diamondbacks Series Recap

 The Padres left San Francisco and headed to Arizona for a 4 game series against Arizona. Apparently their hot bats from Wednesday got sent to Arizona’s dugout. Arizona destroyed Odrisamer Despaigne by rapping out 17 hits including 8 doubles and 2 home runs. Daniel Peralta led the way by going 4-5, with Cuban Yasmany Tomas also hitting 3-5 and catcher Tuffy Gosevich bringing in 4 RBI in the D-backs rout 11-0.  In relief Nick Vincent allowed 2 runs as well as a rare run allowed by Dale Thayer. Kevin Quackenbush was the only Padres pitcher who worked a scoreless inning. A pretty forgettable night for the Padres.

 In Game 2, Wil Myers started at first base after Yonder Alonso aggravated his wrist and went out with a 4-5 day including a home run to raise his average back up to .288. Will Venable started in his place in center field and went 3-5 himself and hit his third homer of the season in just 42 at-bats. It was certainly not Shield’s best outing of the season as he allowed 5 runs in 6 IP but he was able to get the offense to rally behind him and improve to 4-0 as the Padres hung on to win 6-5. Maurer, Joaquin Benoit and Craig Kimbrel each worked scoreless innings to finish things up, Kimbrel with his 9th save of the season despite a higher-than-normal 4.35 ERA.

 In probably the best game of the week for the Padres, Saturday pitted Tyson Ross against the Diamondbacks Chase Anderson who is off to a good start on the season with 4 quality starts in six tries despite an 0-1 record to show for his 2.97 ERA. Saturday Anderson would go 7 and only allow 1 runs, while Tyson would go 6 innings of his own and only allowing 2 runs. More importantly, for the second straight start he only walked 2 though once again was unable to go past 6 innings. The Padres would score two to take the lead in the 8th on several doubles by Jedd Gyorko, Solarte, and Derek Norris. In the top of the 9th, Justin Upton singled home the insurance run and it appeared that with Craig Kimbrel coming in the game should be over. However, we have discussed Kimbrel’s struggles this season and it showed Saturday. With 2 outs Danny Dorn doubled in two runs to tie the game before Kimbrel struck out Ender Inciarte to avoid the loss. In the 12th Justin Upton homered to give the Padres the lead again and Alexi Amarista added an RBI double. Kevin Quackenbush, who had already pitched the 11th, stayed in for the 12th to finish the job and close out the Padres win 6-4. It was a wild one in the desert but nice to come out on top.

  In Sunday’s finale Andrew Cashner was able to avoid unearned runs and pitched perhaps his best game of the year. He went 7 innings and just allowed 2 runs on 4 hits. Unfortunately, the Padres bats went back to sleep and only got 1 run in on the day. One controversial decision happened in the top of the 6th when the Padres loaded the bases with 2 outs. Cashner was pitching well, but Black elected to keep Cashner in to hit instead of pinch hitting for Matt Kemp. Cashner grounded out and the Padres never really threatened again. Admittedly, if Cashner gets a hit or the Padres do come back later, it is a good decision. It almost backfired after Cashner allowed runners to first and third in the 6th but was able to induce a double play to end the threat. Five Arizona pitchers kept the Padres at bay and the Arizona victory 2-1.

They were able to earn a split of the series but need to really start doing better against division rivals.

Next: Friar of the Week and Burning Questions

Apr 28, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher

(38) pitches during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Friar of the Week and Burning Questions

 This week’s Friar of the Week goes to pitcher Tyson Ross. In two starts this week he pitched 13 innings and only allowed 4 runs while striking out 11 and just 5 walks. Before this week in his prior three starts he had gone 6 innings and had walked 11. He had also allowed a home run per start in those three starts and did not allow a home run this week at all. Unfortunately for him his record stands at just 1-3. Like Cashner, he has been victimized by low run support for the most part during his starts. In his three losses the Padres have scored only a total of 4 runs. Ross pitching well is a key to how the Padres will do in 2015 as well as his health. With Ian Kennedy and Brandon Morrow already hitting the DL though not at the same time, the Padres are hoping that Ross can pitch longer into games and continue to pitch effectively.

Burning Questions

Bud Black on the hot seat? I really think that Preller will hold back on any moves with Black until at least the end of May. The Paders currently sit in second place in the NL West and 4.5 GB from the Dodgers. The Giants, D-backs and Rockies all fall within 4 games and the Padres and Dodgers are the only two teams with a winning record. The offense overall is performing well but needs to be more consistent. He has done a good job balancing the struggles of Amarista, Gyorko and Middlebrooks and working in Solarte effectively. Now with Gyroko perhaps turning the corner I expect to see Solarte more at 3B. With the injury to Alonso he has stayed creative slotting in Wil Myers at 1B and seen returns from giving Will Venable a few starts in center. Whenever Melvin Upton Jr. gets healthy he would be available for outfield starts as well and help keep Upton and Kemp rested as the season drags on.

 What about Kimbrel? Kimbrel has struggled early in the season before, and even so far this season by no means is he a real cause for concern. The bullpen has pitched much better of late with Brandon Maurer giving more consistent outings and Dale Thayer still proving one of the most reliable members. Quackenbush has been doing well and Garces notched a couple scoreless innings of relief as well. With Shawn Kelley wrapping up his rehab it will be interesting to see who leaves the ‘pen. My bet would be Nick Vincent who once again has struggled up in San Diego.

Next: Week Ahead