This was a game that the San Diego Padres could have easily won. The lineup put 11 runners in scoring position against the Chicago Cubs and only managed to convert two of them into runs. Because of that, Chicago was able to walk off the Friars, becoming the first, and only, team to do so this season.
If you watched the game, you’d understand why it’s surprising that the box score says the Padres committed zero errors. Samad Taylor missed a playable catch in left field. Jackson Merrill lost a ball
in the twilight sky and barely made the catch. The bases were loaded at the time, and the last-second catch prevented more runs from crossing the plate. Still, it’s a play that should be made with ease, not stress.
But it was Manny Machado’s two miscues that changed the tide of the game. Although they were difficult plays, they’re ones that he has often made look extremely easy. The first didn’t become a run but could easily have if not for the bullpen bailing the club out. The second came in the ninth and could have prevented Seiya Suzuki from ever coming to the plate and walking the game off.
All in all, it was a tough pill to swallow for the Friar Faithful. The club can’t expect the bullpen to bail them out every single time. And, after seeming like he had it figured out, manager Craig Stammen has made some interesting pitching decisions as of late. He’s left players on the mound for far longer than they should be. While it’s great to trust your players, it hasn’t translated into wins. In a results-based business, that’s all that matters in the end.
Taking the mound
Matthew Boyd (CHC) v. JP Sears (SD)
Boyd was heavily favored to be the anchor in what looked to be a dominant Cubs rotation. Instead, he’s the last remaining pitcher in what has become an injury-plagued staff. After surging in 2025 to a 3.21 ERA with Chicago, Boyd has regressed this season. He’s posted a 5.02 ERA through 28 2/3 innings pitched.
Injuries have derailed his season a bit, causing him to miss almost two months before making his return against the New York Mets last weekend. He looked good, pitching 4 2/3 scoreless innings. That said, Boyd struggled to find the zone, authoring four walks to New York batters.
Sears has made just one start for the Friars this season. He was recalled from Triple-A after Lucas Giolito was placed on the 15-day injured list. Sears flashed some dominant stuff against one of the best lineups in MLB. He held the Atlanta Braves scoreless through five innings and earned the win in San Diego’s sweep last week.
The trouble for today is that Sears is a fly ball pitcher, meaning he induces a ton of hard contact in the air. With the wind being as strong as it is in Wrigley Field, the Cubs could take advantage of Sears and force him out of the game early. But, hopefully, he’ll be just as dominant as he was last week.
Batter up!
The club has to do better than it did last night. There’s no other way to say it. It’s hard to keep saying that this lineup is better on paper than how it plays. At what point do the results of the offense speak for themselves? It’s tough to say. This team definitely has a lot of offensive upside, but they haven’t done a fantastic job in showing it off.
- Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
- Samad Taylor, LF
- Manny Machado, 3B
- Gavin Sheets, 1B
- Miguel Andujar, DH
- Jackson Merrill, CF
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- Freddy Fermin, C
- Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Machado has historically played very well against Boyd. Across 16 career at-bats, Machado has hit .500 with a 1.221 OPS and three RBI. That form of Machado was dormant Monday night (0-for-3). The Friars need him to wake up in order to force the rubber match in Chicago.
Relief corps
Despite starter Griffin Canning pitching 4 1/3 solid innings of work, the Friars wasted through five relievers. That was mostly due to a lack of ability to find the plate across the board. Kyle Hart and Bradgley Rodriguez worked just 2/3 of an inning apiece. Adrian Morejon looked shaky recording the final out of the sixth, but dominated in the seventh.
It was Jason Adam who proved to be San Diego’s undoing. It’s not his fault. He pitched a fantastic eighth inning and was asked to come out for the ninth. It makes sense, the Friars hoped he could force extras and then Mason Miller could slam the door in the 10th. But Adam hasn’t had his stuff lately, and that showed. He surrendered back-to-back singles before Miller took over.
The latter gave up a single on his second pitch to load the bases before inducing a double play thanks to Jase Bowen’s outfield assist. But it wouldn’t go to the 10th, with Suzuki slugging a 1-0 slider into the ivy wall. That leaves the high-leverage options out for today’s game. Miller could be called on after throwing just seven pitches in the ninth. Beyond him Ron Marinaccio, Yuki Matsui and Wandy Peralta are available.
