San Diego Padres: 3 players to praise for series win over the Miami Marlins

San Diego Padres: Seth Lugo pitched a gem to win the series

Monday night, Michael Wacha pitched well to get the series off on the right foot going 5.1 innings allowing just five hits, one run, and striking out seven in a start that was very much needed by San Diego. Blake Snell did not pitch badly in Tuesday's loss, he just got no run support. Seth Lugo matched Wacha in terms of a much-needed start on Wednesday.

The right-hander went six innings and was in command of all of his pitches. He only struck out three, but allowed just three hits and walked one, relying on his defense behind him. He worked out of his biggest jam in the game in the fifth while holding a 1-0 lead, getting a strikeout to end the inning with runners on the corners. In the bottom half of the inning, Xander Bogaerts gave his pitcher some breathing room with a two-run home run.

After Lugo, Steven Wilson, Tom Cosgrove and Josh Hader were able to close it out, however, the Friars' closer didn't make it easy on himself, allowing a hit and walking two to load the bases with one out, but he was able to get out without any damage and the win.

Overall, there were several players who stepped up to win a series that San Diego needed to win. Now a road trip against two National League Central Division teams to close out August will either keep the Padres' hopes alive for a playoff berth or push them to the brink of no return in the standings.