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Padres News: Week in Review – June 22-28th

By Daryll Dorman |
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Jun 27, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder

Matt Kemp

(27) hits a two RBI single during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Introduction

I’ve missed a few weeks in this space, but excited to get back in the swing of things. This week saw more of the same of what we have seen from the Padres all season – flashes of brilliance in one game and the next game a lifeless offense and inconsistent starting pitching. Even James Shields has deflated after starting 7-0 to fall to 7-2 all of a sudden. Matt Kemp is starting to show more of his power stroke and emerge out of his two month slump just in time for the All Star Break, and questions continue to swirl about whether Justin Upton will finish out his terrific 2015 campaign with the Padres or someone else.

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Since I last wrote this column the Padres finally followed my advice and fired Bud Black – but the new results have been mixed. Certainly new interim manager Pat Murphy brings a more relaxed fun atmosphere, but that only really counts if it also brings winning. This isn’t a struggling young team looking for encouragement and skills to build on for next year. This team is built on veterans who are here to win now and economically constructed that way too. I maintain that there still is a good amount of time to turn it around, but a nice surge into the All Star Break sure would be nice, wouldn’t it?

This week the Giants played 3 against the Giants in San Francisco before a weekend series at home against the Diamondbacks. I will recap those series and preview the week ahead, highlighting a Friar of the Week as well.

Next: Giants Series Recap

Jun 23, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants manager

Bruce Bochy

(15) takes the ball from starting pitcher

Madison Bumgarner

(40) after he was removed from the game during the eighth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Giants Series Recap

The Giants continue to hum along with any real production to speak of from Hunter Pence, who tried to come back too soon, got hurt again, and now is a big bat just waiting to contribute for the second half. Meanwhile, fill in’s like Matt Duffy are establishing themselves as legitimate major league players and Brandon Crawford continues a breakout 2015 alongside veteran and leader Buster Posey. So much for missing Pablo Sandoval, who surely also checks the score of the Giants games while browsing twitter in the bathroom, right?

Game 1 of the series with the Giants was the best one from the Padres perspective, as they were able to squeak out a few 8th innings when it mattered most to tie the game and win it in extra innings. Brandon Maurer threw two perfect innings of relief for the 3-2 victory.

In Game 2, a 3rd inning grand slam was just about all the Giants would need against Ian Kennedy, who fell to 4-6 on the season and Ryan Vogelsong pitched 6 strong for the shutout victory.The Padres managed 5 hits in this one but that was about all and lost by a final tally of 6-0.

Game 3 was almost a huge victor for the Padres. The Giants jumped ahead early and often and took a 7-0 lead into the 7th inning. The Padres finally got to rookie and no-hitter throwing Chris Heston for two runs, but the Giants got those right back in the bottom half to maintain a 9-2 lead. In the 8th inning after a lead-off double, Matt Kemp hit a long center field home run for his 5th homer that gave the Padres some life. Three straight singles later and the Padres had the tying run on 3rd base but were unable to get it across. Unfortunately in the bottom of the 8th Shawn Kelley started things off allowing some base runners. Brandon Maurer, who has been incredible for the Padres of late – faltered for the first time in awhile – perhaps not yet recovered from his two inning stint just two days ago? – and the Giants scored 4 to get right back in the game and win 13-8. It was unfortunate to waste a 6 run inning like that but again – that is how the first half seems to be going for the Padres.

All in all after an opening series sweep of the Giants, the Giants have been improving and the Padres look about the same. When will that second gear come?

Next: Diamondbacks Series Recap

Diamondbacks Series Recap

The Padres returned to San Diego after a disappointing road trip and Pat Murphy looking for improvements from the starting pitching staff of all places. Friday and Saturday night at least the Padres delivered.

While Tyson Ross is turning in a respectable season, he has yet to really show the dominance that earned him an All Star trip in 2014 and hopes that he would challenge James Shields along with Andrew Cashner for the “ace” tag of the staff. That said, he has pitched at least 5 innings every start, has allowed no more than 4 runs and only done that twice. His June 20th start against Arizona was his best yet when he threw a complete game striking out 9 and only allowing 1 run. Friday night he didn’t have his best control again, walking 5, but managed to get through 6 innings only allowing 2 runs and the Padres bats came through for a 4-2 victory. His consistency is to be applauded though, as opposed to the shaky Andrew Cashner who got the start Saturday night.

Andrew Cashner took the hill Saturday after several very bad starts. He was able to pitch his best game in over a month and record his first win since May 27th. He hurled 7 innings only allowing 2 runs and no walks. Justin Upton hit his 14th home run of the season and Cashner himself even threw in a suicide squeeze bunt to drive in a run. The Padres won 7-2. To be fair to Cashner, the 7 runs provided were the most since September 2013, as reported by Corey Brock and Jake Rill of MLB.com.

Matt Kemp started things off in the series finale with a lead-off home run but Odrisamer Despaigne gave those runs right back and the Padres were down 4-1 by the third inning. Derek Norris came through with two home runs and they cut the deficit to 4-3 before a Daniel Peralta home run gave the D’backs 2 more. They mustered another run but lost the game 6-4. They failed to win a third straight game for would’ve been only the 6th time all season. Yes, before their June 2-6 four game win streak they had not won 3 in a row since May 1-3 when they swept Colorado. Ouch.

Next: Closing Thoughts

Jun 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman

Yonder Alonso

(23) singles in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Closing Thoughts and Friar of the Week

 This week’s Friar of the Week goes out to Yonder Alonso, who continues to rap out a career year at the plate. Though it would be nice to have a little more power out of your corner infielder, Alonso continues to pound out hits like its easy. He is still at .324 on the year and in the last week hit .375 with an OBP of .423. That we will take. The Padres have the individual pieces going with Alonso, J-Up, and C Derek Norris. Will Venable has played well in Wil Myer’s stead, but the left side of the infield continues to be a mess at shortstop and 3rd base. If Matt Kemp can get his average hot and continue his power stroke, it will help but someone else in the infield needs to step up to help this team.

This week the Padres continue their home stand with two against the Mariners after a day off Monday. Then they head out to St. Louis for a 4 game against the team with the best record in baseball. This will be a good test and opportunity for the Padres to gain some momentum if they can manage to win 3 of 4 from the Cards.

Current Record: 37-41

Standings: 7 GB Dodgers

Weekly Prediction: 4-2

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