Padres Swept Again by Giants; Lose on Walk Off

The Padres have still been unable to defeat the San Francisco Giants this season, losing for the 9th straight time. This time they lost 4-3 in 10 innings on Wednesday.

The Padres did see some positive signs, with Andrew Cashner pitching well coming off of the disabled list and Yangervis Solarte providing some late power to tie the game in the 8th.

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Cashner pitched six innings striking out 6 and allowing just 2 runs. Former Padre Jake Peavy pitched into the 7th himself and allowed just 1 run, but neither would factor in the decision. That’s because Yangervis Solarte cranked his first home run of the season in the 8th inning to tie the game at 3.

Solarte also doubled in the game and no one has a faster home run trot or runs to first. A day after Yasiel Puig failed to run out a hit he thought was going to be a home run and settled for a single – the contrast is startling.

Remember that Solarte was traded away from the Yankees in 2014 for Chase Headley. In 2015 while Solarte made $515,000 and hit .270 with 14 homers and 63 RBI, Headley made $13M and hit .259 with 11 homers and 62 RBI. Good deal? I think so.

On top of that, while the Padres waited for Headley to turn into their “franchise player” or the next Tony Gwynn, Solarte just goes about his business with enthusiasm. He is willing to play multiple positions and hit himself into the everyday lineup last year whereever he could before earning the starting third base job this year out of Spring Training. After hitting the DL early, he helped the Padres to victory his first game back and nearly provided the same jolt on Thursday.

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Unfortunately, the Padres weren’t able to capitalize on any of the other opportunities the Giants gave them and Brad Hand allowed a Brandon Crawford single to bring home Matt Duffy in the 10th. Ryan Buchter had relieved Carlos Villanueva in the 7th with a runner on and allowed a rare left-handed smash that brought in the Giants third run. Plain and simple though, the Padres need more runs.

Solarte was hitting second Wednesday and had two hits. Matt Kemp continues his slide with an 0-5 day while Wil Myers sat out as a precaution and has now missed two days in a row. The Padres head next to Arizona and send Christian Friedrich out for his third start of the season, still seeking his first win though pitching well to a 2.89 ERA.