Clutch stats show why Jurickson Profar's intense objection to HBP was justified

That was not the way the Friar faithful wanted to see Tuesday's game against the Houston Astros end. The San Diego Padres had already rallied in the eighth inning to tie the game at 3-3, and despite horrific umpiring all around, the Friars were in position to win the game in the 10th.

Manny Machado put the ball in the play with the tying run on third base, and it took a terrific defensive play from Astros infielder Grae Kessinger to end the Padres' comeback hopes; San Diego ultimately lost by the final of 4-3.

But before Machado stepped into the batters' box, Jurickson Profar had a chance to tie or perhaps win the game. Unfortunately, the umpires robbed Profar of that opportunity, and he let them know after the final out was recorded. Not only was Profar's anger justified, but the stats suggest that San Diego would have been better off with their All-Star outfielder up to bat rather than Machado.

Clutch stats show why Padres star Jurickson Profar's intense objection to HBP was justified

In case you missed it, with two outs and runners on the corners in the 10th inning with the Padres trailing by one run, Profar stepped into the box. The very first pitch from Astros reliever Hector Neris was up and in, and the umpire ruled that Profar was struck by the pitch ... but that's not what happened.

The San Diego outfielder barely was able to escape the 94-mph fastball from the Houston right-hander, but multiple replays showed that Profar was not hit. Despite that, the play was not overturned by instant replay, and Profar was given his first base. With the bases loaded, the next batter (Machado) grounded out to end the game.

While Machado doesn't necessarily shrink in the big moments, Profar has felt like one of San Diego's best players in clutch moments this season, and the numbers bear that out. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Profar is hitting .277/.433/.426 with 21 RBI on the season.

Jurickson Profar has rivaled Jackson Merrill as Padres' best clutch hitter this season

When the Padres are within one run, as they were on Tuesday night, the veteran outfielder has been hitting .293/.397/.506 with 15 home runs and 46 RBI. In 78 instances this season when the game is close late, Profar has a 1.319 OPS. That's the guy you want when the lights are at their brightest.

As for Machado, the Padres' third baseman has a .278/.342.431 slash line with runners in scoring position and two outs. When the Friars are trailing this season, Machado is hitting just .199/.259/.350. And when the game is close late, Machado has a repsectable .818 OPS, but that's nearly 500 points lower than Profar's.

If the Friar faithful are curious as to why Profar was so infuriated by the umpire's decision to award him first base despite not being stuck in the line of fire, it's because he rises to the occasion when the game is on the line. Profar's clutch stats are somehow even better than Padres' rookie Jackson Merrill's madness.

The Padres have a number of talented hitters, and almost all of them have had their moment in the sun this season. But Profar stands head and shoulder above all them, and should have had a chance to prove so once again.

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