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Last night’s San Diego Padres vs Arizona Diamondbacks game was a well-pitched affair. Brandon Pfaadt was brilliant, allowing just one unearned run over 6.2 innings for the victory.
Michael King was not sharp, but did labor through six innings. His lone mistake was a D-Backs Tim Tawa three-run home run that proved to be the difference in a 5-1 defeat.
The Snakes’ home victory extended their lead to two games over the Padres in the National League Wild-Card standings.
Musgrove’s and Pivetta’s rehab results
The Friar Faithful’s eyes were on
a Single-A morning contest between the Ontario Tower Buzzers vs the Lake Elsinore Storm. The game’s starting pitching matchup had a major league feel, as Tyler Glasnow faced Joe Musgrove in a rehab start. Plus, the Padres added Nick Pivetta in a “piggyback” role following Musgrove’s appearance.
The hope was for all the pitchers to ease themselves back into game action. From the Friars’ perspective, the results were not promising.
Musgrove easily transitioned himself from a non-playing mindset to his former big-game executioner. He threw 39 pitches in 1.2 innings pitched. Observers could tell his stamina was being tested after a perfect first inning.
On the other side of the coin, Pivetta’s outing was not encouraging. He exited with an apparent arm injury after recording two outs in the third inning. The Padres were hoping for a late August return to the rotation. Unfortunately, Pivetta appears to be heading for Tommy John surgery.
Suddenly, this surgical procedure becomes expensive for the right-hander. Pivetta will be on the injured list for 130 consecutive days, which triggers a clause in his contract that converts a player option into a club option. The odds are good that the organization will decline the option to save $32 million in salary.
Tough day for Pivetta, who faces a long path back to health.
Taking the mound: Randy Vasquez (SD) vs Eduardo Rodriguez (ARIZ)
The Padres are looking to bounce back in the second game of the series by sending out Randy Vasquez (6-6, 4.45 ERA) to the mound. Hopefully, he can set the tone tonight.
Vasquez has been effective in the bulk relief role after the opener. He has posted a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings. His last outing was outstanding, as Vasquez threw 4.2 scoreless innings on 65 pitches. Friars skipper Craig Stammen confirmed that appearance earned him another shot as a starter.
The D-Backs will offer a tough assignment this evening. Their lineup is right-handed dominant, as they scored five runs on nine hits in yesterday’s contest. Vasquez will need to use his entire pitching repertoire to keep their hitters in check.
Diamondbacks Eduardo Rodriguez (10-3, 2.48 ERA) has been highly effective all season. He did struggle locating his pitches following the All-Star break. In five starts, the left-hander went 3-1 with a 3.45 ERA, allowing 11 runs across 28.2 innings.
Rodriguez will try to keep the Padres lineup off balance by throwing his changeup and four-seam on the outside corner for strikes. San Diego has struggled against left-handed starting pitching with a 13-14 record this season.
