Padres Pitchers Struggle in Loss to Cardinals

Though the Padres carried a 1-0 lead into the 5th and starter Christian Friedrich went into the bottom of the 6th only down 2-1, you just felt like the wheels were about to come off.

The wheels did fall off with a 4 run sixth for the Cardinals as they went on to win the game 10-2 in which not one of four Padres pitchers were able to put in a scoreless outing. Friedrich struggled with his control all night as he walked 5 and allowed 4 runs(3 earned).

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Former Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko went three for three on the night with a home run, just his 8th of the year but third against the Padres. Cardinals starter Mike Leake went his six innings and allowed only the home run to Matt Kemp. He struck out 11 Padres and walked none. All Star Wil Myers got the dreaded “golden sombrero” with 4 strike outs.

Friedrich got to the sixth inning and Manager Andy Green opted to keep him in despite a high pitch count and the fact that he had already walked 4. He got Randal Grichuk to ground out, but allowed a single to Jedd Gyorko and walked Greg Garcia. That was the end of his night and Carlos Villaneuva relieved him. A triple, double, and single later put the Cards up 6-1 by the end of the inning.

After the dramatic home sweep of the Giants and great All Star Game, it sure brought the Padres back down to earth a bit. Padres starter Colin Rea takes the hill tomorrow looking for his 6th win against Carlos Martinez who is 8-6 on the year with a 2.85 ERA.

Perhaps the biggest news is every day a Padre is not traded. Derek Norris went 0-4 to put his season average down to .208, which doesn’t help improve his “offensive catcher” reputation that besides some power he is failing to live up to again this season. Yangervis Solarte stole his first base of the season and went 2-4. He is now hitting a robust .290.