Padres Week in Review May 11th-17th: Can’t Get on a Win Streak

May 15, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder

Bryce Harper

(34) singles during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Nationals Series Recap

The Padres brought some of the famous PNW rain with them when they came for Friday’s game against the Washington Nationals even if they had no rain in Seattle. Go figure.

It was only the fifth rain delay in Petco Park history and this one was delayed after Tyson Ross got one out in the first. Nearly two hours later the game resumed and Ross was able to go into the 6th inning allowing just two runs on five hits. The bullpen continues to work its way back into prime form with Dale Thayer pitching an inning of scoreless relief. He was followed by Kevin Quackenbush who couldn’t quite go two innings, but Brandon Maurer was able to come in for the final out of the 8th and finish up the 9th when the game was out of hand. Derek Norris homered and tripled early prompting thoughts he might be able to hit for the cycle, but he finished 2-3 with a walk and 5 RBI. Corey Spangenberg hit two homers in this one too and the Padres took the opener 8-3.

Game 2 did not go as well for the Padres. Odrisamer Despaigne was pounded for 7 runs in 3 innings, Bryce Harper homered for his MLB leading 13th, and the Padres were held scoreless in a 10-0 thrashing. Shawn Kelley gave up another run in 2 innings of relief, and Frank Garces went three innings and allowed 2 more runs (1 unearned) in the loss. Dale Thayer was the only pitcher who didn’t allow a run on the night. A.J. Cole of the Nationals went 3 IP for the save, taking advantage of a clause of the save rule that doesn’t make sense in a 10-0 ballgame.

In Saturday’s game, Andrew Cashner was hoping to keep in tact his streak of 21 straight home starts allowing 2 or less earned runs. That streak would not survive the night. Unfortunately he would also not be able to have a start where unearned runs would bite him. Max Scherzer struck out 11 Padres in 7 innings and allowed 0 runs and 4 hits. The bullpen for the Padres finished up 3 scoreless innings but the offense was unable to muster any sustainable offense against the Nationals. Final score Nationals 4, Padres 1.

Sunday the Padres got demolished by the Nationals 10-5. The Padres actually got on the board first with a RBI single in the first and third on a homer from Justin Upton. Bryce Harper started things off with a triple. Danny Espinoza homered to give the Nationals a 3-2 lead and they wouldn’t look back. Kennedy pitched to three batters in the 6th but walked the first three batters of the inning. Frank Garces came on in relief and allowed a RBI single to Bryce Harper. He was pulled for Dale Thayer who allowed a double but was able to get out of the inning. The Nats upped their lead to 7-2 at this point though and the game was essentially out of reach. The Padres got two runners on in the 6th and squeaked out a run but the threat was ended. Justin Upton hit another homer in the game but the Nationals continued their hot streak.

Padres Week in Review May 11th-17th: Can’t Get on a Win Streak

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