San Diego Padres: Week #22 recap

Recapping all of the action from a week consisting of two impressive series victories for the San Diego Padres against divisional opponents.

It seems safe to say that this week will be marked as the most successful week of the 2017 season for most Padres fans. Playing a three game series against the Giants always brings many Giants fans to Petco Park and to take 2 out of 3 against an inferior San Francisco team was satisfying. But then the major league baseball juggernaut that is known as the Los Angeles Dodgers came to town for a four game series.

It was serendipitous that the Dodgers had just come off of a five game losing streak and were not playing their best baseball. But even considering that fact, the Pads played some of their best baseball of the year to take three of four from LA.

Shortstop Erick Aybar came off the DL for three games and was on fire. His 4 hits and 2 RBI with a HR gave him a .444 avg against the Dodgers.

Wil Myers, who has struggled for most of the season, had a good week with 8 hits and 3 RBI. 3B Cory Spangenberg also played well with 8 hits`and 2 RBI. Both Myers and Spangy had a .381 avg for the week.

Jose Pirela continues his surprising play with 2 HR, 4 RBI and continued improvement in his defensive play in left field.

All of this might have been wasted if not for the amazing effort by the Padres pitching staff. Everyone in the bullpen pitched well with Craig Stammen and Buddy Baumann standing out for their multi game efforts. Some of the starters struggled at times but limited the damage and gave the team a chance in every game.

It was definitely the most consistent 7 games of play for the season and gave a lift to this Friar fan, who hopes this is a glimpse of things to come.

More from Friars on Base

• Jurickson Profar free agency update likely rules out Padres reunion
• 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

The week was also marked by the firing of hitting coach Alan Zinter. Understandable as the team is dead last in offense in all of baseball with a .233 average and .299 on base percentage. Manager Andy Green, who hired Zinter when he began his job as manager of the Friars, stated he wanted “another voice” going forward. Whatever the reason, the firing continues a trend during the Petco era of the Padres. There have been 4 hitting coaches just in the previous 5 seasons. A young and frequently ineffective group of hitters are to blame for those numbers. It remains to be seen which “voice” the Padres will  hire going for next season.

The Padres also added pitcher Jordan Lyles to the roster and gave him a start for the double header on Saturday. Lyles, who joined the organization last month on a minor league deal, was brought up from AAA El Paso for the spot start. Surprisingly, frequent flyer S was designated for assignment to make room on the 40 man for Lyles.

Next: Weekend of the future?

The current week will feature a four game series against the Cardinals and then a 3 game series on the road versus the torrid Arizona Diamondbacks.