San Diego Padres: Joey Lucchesi Falters In Loss To Dodgers

The San Diego Padres fell to 40-55 after dropping Wednesday night’s decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-2.

The San Diego Padres came crashing back to reality on Wednesday night in a tough loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. After Eric Lauer fell just one out shy of a shutout victory on Tuesday, Joey Lucchesi struggled to make it past four innings, without the help of a defense behind him.

Everything seemed to be going along smoothly to begin the contest, with emotions still running high from Tuesday night’s fun. Travis Jankowski and his spectacular catch in centerfield set the early tone, which changed drastically in the third inning.

The Padres entered the third inning with a 1-0 lead, thanks to an RBI-single by Carlos Asuaje, before the wheels began to fall off. A Matt Kemp RBI-single began the rally, followed by a Logan Forsythe RBI base knock, and a Max Muncy run scored on a throwing error by Freddy Galvis, allowing Cody Bellinger to reach first and extend the inning.

Lucchesi lasted just four innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits and a walk. He did record four strikeouts, including two of Justin Turner. However, after 91 pitches, Andy Green brought in Phil Maton to try and slow down the Dodgers’ offense.

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While Lucchesi struggled with his command and his defense committed two errors (and just terrible play overall), the story of the night was the lack of San Diego Padres offense (evergreen story). Padres’ hitters struck out 12 times against Kenta Maeda and staff. Eric Hosmer, Hunter Renfroe, and Wil Myers combined for four on the night.

Outside of Jankowski’s defense and night at the plate (1-3 with a BB and run scored), the only other bright spot was the relief appearance of Phil Maton. Making only his third appearances with the Padres since May 12th, Maton tossed two scoreless frames, walking three and striking out one. Maton came out to work a third inning, but was pulled after walking the first two batters. Proper bullpen management could have prevented that situation.

Ideally, Maton continues to get some positive work on the mound, giving the Padres more peace of mind about trading away a few bullpen pieces to needy contenders who are willing to pay steep price tags out of desperation.

San Diego would pull to within one in the bottom of the seventh. A line-drive rocket off the bat of Christian Villanueva made it 3-2 (108.7 mph exit velocity, 16-degree launch angle), but it wasn’t enough to take the victory.

There really isn’t much more to discuss, other than the fact that this game seemed to take nearly five hours to complete. I will leave you with this strike three call against Wil Myers late in the game. Umpires strike again….

Next: Talking Trades With The Cleveland Indians

The Padres and Dodgers will conclude their four-game set on Thursday night with a 7:00 pm first pitch. Tyson Ross and Ross Stripling are scheduled to throw in the finale.