Drury, Martinez propel Padres in series opener with Giants

Fresh off a series win over the Kansas City Royals, the San Diego Padres traveled to San Francisco for a three-game set with their National League West rival Giants. The Padres trotted out Mike Clevinger in the opener, while San Francisco opposed with staff ace Carlos Rodon.

The Padres, who have struggled to score runs early in games lately, jumped on Rodon early and pushed two runs across in the first inning. Josh Bell snuck one through the six-hole to plate Juan Soto, and Brandon Drury followed that up with a two-run blast the following at-bat. Having touched up Rodon early, the Friars led 3-0 after one.

Things started out rather oddly in this game. There was an early delay due to an umpire injuring his leg after a slip, which didn’t last too long, but a more lengthy pause ensued shortly afterwards. The lights at Oracle Park weren’t working and caused both teams to depart the field for 20 minutes or so before returning. Finally, Carlos Rodon toed the rubber for his third inning of work.

The Padres padded their lead in the fourth, scoring two more runs on an RBI single by Austin Nola. Jurickson Profar drew a walk and Jake Cronenworth doubled, both of which came home on Nola’s clutch hit.

After barreling a few balls up early in the game, the Giants pushed two runs across on Clevinger on a two-run blast by Joc Pederson in the fourth. It was Pederson’s first home run since July 25th and his 19th of the season.

It didn’t take the Padres long to answer Pederson’s home run. Manny Machado barreled a single back up the middle and Bell drew a walk, setting up an RBI opportunity for the aforementioned Drury. After spoiling a few pitches, Drury chopped a high fastball back up the middle, plating Machado.

Things held scoreless until the bottom of the eighth inning. A bloop single to left field, which absolutely should have been caught by Profar, started things off. Robert Suarez retired two batters fairly quickly before getting into trouble he should have never been in, bringing Nick Martinez into the game with the bases loaded. Austin Slater brought a pair of runners home on a weak opposite field single, and J.D. Davis plated another on an RBI knock to Trent Grisham.

Martinez evaded any further damage by inducing an Austin Wynns infield fly out, ending the inning. He retired the side in order in the ninth inning, lowering his season ERA to 3.02 and locking down his seventh save of the year. Martinez appears to be the Padres’ closer for the time being, albeit he may have a day off today given yesterday’s workload.

TOP PERFORMERS

+ Brandon Drury: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI

+ Austin Nola: 1-for-4, 2 RBI

+ Josh Bell: 1-for-1, RBI, 3 BB, RS

+ Mike Clevinger: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 K

+ Adrian Morejon: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K

+ Nick Martinez: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, K

WHAT’S NEXT?

The series continues today at 6:45 p.m. PST, and it’s another crucial matchup for the Padres. Blake Snell draws the nod for Bob Melvin’s squad, while Gabe Kapler trots out Logan Webb. As things stand right now, San Diego holds a 1.5 game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for the final wild card spot.