San Diego Padres: Week #17 recap

The San Diego Padres finished another successful week, splitting a four game series with the Mets and taking the first two games of a three game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Going 4-3 for the week gave them an overall 47-58 record with a 7.5 game lead over the last place Giants. Even without dominating starters, the bullpen has excelled and the position players have played just well enough with an excellent week for a handful of players.

Centerfielder Manny Margot has had a monster week at the plate, hitting .500 with 14 hits, 3 homers and 6 RBI.  Margot has struck out 6 times as well but his bat on ball skills combined with his speed have combined for 6 of his 14 hits being for extra bases.

Utility man Jose Pirela  (LF, 2B, 1B) is hitting .320 for the week with 8 hits, including 2 2B and 2 3B while playing acceptable defense in all positions.

Cory Spangenberg hit .316 for the week to up his season average to .275 with .435 OBP for the week.

Hunter Renfroe added 3 HR to his season total of 20, tied with Will Myers for the team lead. His 45 RBI is second only to Myers.

Rookie Dusty Coleman has played well in his Padres debut with 2 HR, a double and 5 RBI to highlight his first major league hits at 30 years of age.

More from Friars on Base

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• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher
• This veteran DH target seems ideal for contending Padres roster

Recently acquired lefty starter Travis Wood debuted with his new team going 6 innings and allowing 2 runs on 2 hits, earning his first win as a Padre.

Dinelson Lamet had another good start with 6 innings pitched, 2 hits and 2 earned runs with 7 K’s. Manager Andy Green has repeatedly been quoted saying that Lamet has to pitch to his stuff and not worry about his pitchability. His up and down progress so far seems to be related to his lack of confidence in relying on his stuff. When pitching to his strength, Lamet has proven to be difficult to hit.

Next: The surprise at shortstop

The Padres play a two game series against the Minnesota Twins at home then hit the road for a ten game road trip which includes stops at Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Los Angeles.