San Diego Padres: Padres cruise to sweep behind strong starting pitching

 The San Diego Padres took three games this week against the Reds, and roll into Milwaukee as a pretty hot baseball team.

Lost in the excitement of the MLB draft this week was the fact that the San Diego Padres had a three game series to play at home against the Cincinnati Reds. Now, as they fly to Milwaukee on getaway day, the team is feeling a whole lot better about themselves than they did just three short days ago.

The Reds came into the series with a poor 29-33 record, but the Padres were an even worse 24-40. Winning the series was the goal as always, but San Diego put forth three strong displays of baseball in front of their home fans this week.

Monday night it was the offensive production that brought home the victory, as Austin Hedges and Yangervis Solarte combined to drive in five runs.

On Tuesday it was a phenomenal pitching performance by Clayton Richard. The 33-year-old left-hander put forth 8 and 2/3 innings of consistent baseball, efficiently mowing down Cincinnati’s lineup. Also notable about the game were Franchy Cordero‘s two home runs, as the surprising young player continues to flourish.

Wednesday‘s series and home stand finale was the most exciting game of the three, as the Padres came from behind with two runs in the sixth and the seventh to win 4-2. A two run comeback late in a game is always an encouraging sign of a lineup that never quits and a bullpen which is able to hold their own.

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The hit that got the offense going was a Hunter Renfroe two run blast which tied the game in the sixth. Cordero then struck again with an enormous hit for the third consecutive contest. His go-ahead single in the seventh was followed by another Renfroe RBI, putting the Padres in front for good. This is the team’s second sweep of the season, both coming in the friendly confines of Petco Park.

In a rebuilding season, individual performances and acquisitions are magnified while the actual competition and games themselves can be pushed aside or deemed insignificant. Still, it is vital to give credit to the club when credit is due, and this week a good degree of credit is due.

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The Padres will look to continue rolling this weekend when they hit Miller Park to take on the Brewers. Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM Pacific Time.

But first, San Diego will enjoy an off day on Thursday. With the excitement of the draft and the Padres winning three straight, all is good for fans, at least for a couple days.