The San Diego Padres finished their road series versus the Los Angeles Angels winning two of three despite being shutout in the first game, scoring all their runs in the eighth and ninth innings in the second game, and squeaking out the third game with Mason Miller’s eighth save. Jackson Merrill robbed his third home run of the season in the middle game, almost colliding with Fernando Tatis Jr. in the process.
They moved on to Colorado, hoping to get their offense, that has been struggling to hit
for power since leaving home, back on track before their short series in 7,300 feet of elevation in Mexico City.
That plan was not wholly successful.
The Friars took two of three from the Rockies but it was frequently not easy. They split the first two, with Randy Vasquez winning a 1-0 game over seven innings pitched. The last game appeared lost with the Rockies leading 8-5 going into the ninth inning but those gritty Padres fought back.
With a walk by Jackson Merrill followed by three singles from Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and Miguel Andujar to plate two runs, the Padres were only trailing by one. Gavin Sheets, in the game after he pinch-hit for Ty France in his previous turn in the order, lined a home run down the right field line with two on for a game winner.
Mason Miller didn’t strike anyone out in the bottom of the inning, showing that even he is not as effective in the mile high altitude of Coors Field, but he did get a double play after allowing a hit and getting a ground out.
Dominant Randy
The 1-0 shutout was only the 12th such game in Coors Field history. Those seven innings gave Vasquez a 1.88 ERA for his early season and a 3.32 ERA in his last four starts in Colorado.
As a contrast, opposing pitchers currently have a 5.79 ERA when pitching against the Rockies at home while the Rocks have a .365 batting average at home.
Error-free Friars
As part of their ability to win close and late in games, the Padres have had a lot of timely hitting and contributions from up and down the lineup. They have also played error-free baseball over their last 13 games. If you have some spotty starting pitching and an inconsistent offense, which they have had, then playing clean defense is a must.
Padres to Mexico
Due to the international trip to Mexico City, the Padres will carry an extra player for emergencies. The player must be on the 40-man roster so an extra catcher is not an option. The team has not announced who joined the regular 26 for the plane trip to Mexico City but an extra pitcher would be the most obvious choice. Scratch that, they called up Sung-Mun Song.
Players on the injured list will not accompany the team to Mexico City. Both Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta returned to San Diego while the team brought executives, staff, sponsors and family members for the two-game series.
Gavin Sheets gives everyone a gift
April 23 was Gavin Sheets’ 30th birthday. He didn’t start the game but gave all of us a gift with his three-run homer in the ninth to put the Padres ahead. After the game, he also received the ceremonial ice bucket shower routinely given to the hero of the game during his interview with Padres.TV. Coincidentally, Sheets also wears number 30 for the Friars.
Padres contributions
With Machado (.195 average, .620 OPS), Merrill (.211 average, .647 OPS) and Tatis Jr. (.250 average, .620 OPS) all struggling with their offense, Bogaerts and Ramon Laureano have stepped forward to lead the team.
Bogaerts is hitting .289 with an .810 OPS and has four home runs and 16 RBI. Laureano is hitting .264 with an .804 OPS with four home runs and 17 RBI. There have been key contributions from other players as well and catcher Luis Campusano deserves a special mention.
Campusano, in his back-up role to Freddy Fermin, has played in 13 games with a .333 average and 1.052 OPS. He has six doubles, two home runs and seven RBI. He has also had key hits in many of the dramatic wins the Padres have put together this season. His framing still ranks below average, but he excels at ABS and ranks above average or average with his arm and his blocking. He has been the regular catcher for Michael King and Walker Buehler this season.
The other bench player of note is Miguel Andujar, who frequently serves as DH, and has contributed a .316 average, .789 OPS, five doubles and five RBI.
While the team offense continues to lag in the bottom part of MLB statistics, the pitching staff ranks ninth with a 3.62 ERA. The bullpen again carries the bulk of that load with a 3.12 ERA, fourth in baseball.
Injuries and transactions
The Padres signed starting pitcher Lucas Giolitto to a team-friendly deal, guaranteeing him a prorated $1.5 million for this season, a $1.5 million buyout for an option in 2027 and incentives that can equal up to $5 million. He will report to Lake Elsinore to begin his build up and keep him close to San Diego to work with the Padres pitching coaches. His contract guarantees he will be added to the roster by May 16.
Starter Griffin Canning continues his rehab with El Paso and his rehab window closes on May 4. He has time for one more start before being added to the Padres roster and should be up to 70-80 pitches. He was removed from his last start after 31 pitches in the second inning and 45 pitches total. He allowed three hits and two earned runs with two walks in the 1.2 innings pitched.
Yuki Matsui pitched in back-to-back games for the first time this week. His rehab window also expires May 4.
Song was on the El Paso Chihuahuas roster after being optioned last week and before being added for the Mexico City Series. He continues to have issues with his contact and barrel rates while striking out 21 times in 75 at-bats.
Jeremiah Estrada is expected to begin his rehab assignment this weekend with El Paso.
Neither Joe Musgrove nor Nick Pivetta have had a recent update to their injury status.
